Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 101: Is This Your Rayna?

Stefan woke up with a sudden jolt, the unfamiliar ceiling above him stealing his breath for a second. His eyes darted to the window—daylight streamed in, soft and golden. It was morning?

He blinked hard and sat up, running a hand through his hair. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath. "I was supposed to get up last night."

His mind scrambled to catch up with the time he’d lost. The plan, the conversation, the search for Ruby—he had meant to just lie down for a few minutes, not the whole night. But somehow, his body had given in.

After splashing cold water on his face and brushing his teeth, he changed into a fresh shirt and jeans. His hair was still damp as he made his way downstairs, steps brisk but quiet.

The soft clink of a spoon against a mug reached his ears, followed by the faint aroma of coffee.

In the dining area, Ethan sat by the edge of the table, fingers loosely wrapped around his mug, eyes locked onto the phone in front of him. Again.

Stefan watched him for a few minutes and when Ethan still didn’t notice his presence, he cleared his throat.

Ethan’s head snapped up. "Oh. Hey, sleeping beauty finally woke up."

Stefan rolled his eyes but smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Rub it in."

"Man, I was starting to think you passed out from exhaustion." Ethan leaned back in his chair, sipping from the mug. "I told you to sleep, but you were all ’We talk tonight, then I’ll sleep’."

"Guess my body didn’t care what I planned," Stefan said, sliding into a seat. His gaze drifted to the phone in Ethan’s hand. "Still staring at that thing?"

Ethan looked down like he’d been caught cheating on a test. "What? No. Just—checking updates."

"Uh-huh." Stefan narrowed his eyes, grinning. "If I didn’t know better, I’d say you haven’t slept a wink. That phone’s been your second skin since I landed."

Ethan laughed lightly, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "It’s... a girl."

"A girl?" Stefan leaned in, eyebrows raised. "Now that’s interesting."

met a while ago," Ethan said with a shrug. "I thought we clicked. I took her number last week. She seemed open, you know? I called. She didn’t answer. Sent a message. No reply. It’s been six days now and she won’t respond or

said with a low whistle.

corner of his mouth twitching with something like embarrassment. "Yeah.

calling back, then maybe she’s just not into you, man. Save yourself the

that easy,"

"How

"Met her when I came to Zeden... six months

"Wait. You’re chasing a girl from Zeden while living here in Florittle?"

chair. "She lives here. She didn’t give me her contact info back then. But last week—I saw her. At a grocery store. She was shopping like she

pause. "So... you’re

of cravings someone pregnant would have. Chocolate, pickles, lemon soda, instant foods.

was just hungry?" Stefan offered, but Ethan

mean I felt a

tilted his head. "You

little sad but still hopeful. "I know Rayna felt it too and is just playing hard to get. Maybe because of

had already gone still when he

his ears like a

"Rayna?" he repeated slowly.

he asked, wondering why that is the only think Stefan was asking after

rubbing his chin. "That name sounds...

the thought trail off, like a balloon slipping through his fingers. But then, just as quickly, a memory snapped into place like a

second," Stefan said, straightening in his seat. "Ruby’s best friend. Her name’s Rayna. And she lives here. In

you’re saying what exactly? That Ruby’s best friend

don’t know," Stefan interrupted, eyes narrowing. "But maybe... just maybe, your Rayna

"Man, come on. There’s probably a thousand

Stefan said sharply.