Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 102: Dinner Date

Ethan stared at the phone like it had just grown wings. He blinked once, then twice, before slowly reaching out and taking it from Stefan’s outstretched hand. His breath caught as he leaned in, squinting at the screen. His chest tightened the moment he saw the face staring back at him.

"That’s her," he said softly, like the words might disappear if he said them too loud. "That’s MY Rayna."

A long silence settled between them. Though he’d thought Stefan was just being paranoid over hearing the name and thinking too much, now, he didn’t think so anymore.

What he’s more interested in knowing is how his Rayna could be Ruby’s best friend. Could it be that it was Ruby she was going to pick up that morning he saw her? Making the calculations, it seemed to fit. If someone where to leave Zeden to Florittle that evening when Stefan got his sight back, then the person would be arriving in Florittle in the morning.

Did all this mean if he could get to Rayna, they would get Ruby? Was this it? Not just getting someone he loves but also a gateway to getting Stefan his missing piece.

Stefan stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. He began pacing the room, each step stiff with a tension that hadn’t been there moments before. His brows furrowed deeply, as though trying to piece together a jigsaw puzzle that had just revealed a new, unexpected picture.

This was it. This was the universe working for him and bringing him and Ruby back together. Coming to Florittle had perhaps been the answer. If he’d known, he would’ve showed up since he realized the truth.

Ethan, still staring at Rayna’s profile photo, felt a slow rush of emotion flood his chest—surprise, confusion, and something that felt a little too much like hope.

"This can’t just be a coincidence," he managed to murmur to himself. "She said that morning... that maybe we should leave everything to fate. That if it’s meant to be, we’ll meet again."

He swallowed hard, the memory of her voice playing like a soft echo in his mind. "Let fate decide," she’d said, standing by the door with messy hair and brown eyes that sparkled with mischief and uncertainty. "If it’s meant to be, we’ll cross paths again."

He looked up at Stefan, who was still pacing like a caged lion, thinking and calculating.

"But we didn’t just cross paths again," Ethan continued, more to himself now. "We’re about to crash into each other."

Stefan paused mid-step and turned slowly to face him. "You sure it’s her?" he asked, not having heard a word Ethan had been murmuring.

"I told you, that’s her. Same voice, same eyes, same everything." Ethan’s voice was firm now, confident. "That’s the Rayna I’ve been trying to reach. The one I had a night stand with in Zeden."

Stefan rubbed the back of his neck, then let out a heavy breath. "Then it means Ruby wasn’t lying when she said her best friend’s name was Rayna. And if that’s true... it means your Rayna and Ruby’s Rayna are the same person. And since Ruby’s in Florittle, it only means she’s with Rayna. Find Rayna and we see Ruby."

Ethan scratched his chin, staring down at the photo again. "It’s a weird world, huh?"

"Weirder than you think." Stefan sat down again, the tension still clinging to his shoulders. "Do you know where she lives?"

I never got the chance to ask. She won’t pick

again. This is no longer about just the both

But I’ve called and texted her over ten times. She doesn’t want to talk to me. I think I got the message even though

her again. Maybe she was busy. Or maybe she didn’t know how to respond," Stefan insisted. "Just try. One more

the phone like it

said, this time more gently. "Hope for the best. If she doesn’t

fingers hovered over the

the line started ringing. The line rang once... twice... three times and just before they

Her voice. Soft, cautious,

in surprise. His breath caught when he heard her voice across the phone and without thinking, he

the hell, Ethan?" Stefan shouted, sitting up straight. "Why did you

snapped, dropping the phone on the table like it had

chasing her for six months and

Ethan groaned, running both hands down his

in disbelief. "You’re unbelievable. She finally picks up and you go all

phone with shaking hands. "But what do I even say now?" he asked and

forward. "How about you start by asking if you’re disturbing her—since she’s been ignoring your calls. If she says no, ask her to dinner. If she agrees, you can talk more in person.

and out deeply, like he was preparing for war. He glanced at Stefan, who gave

muttered, hitting

against his chest. His thumb itched toward the

voice again,

I hung up earlier. I just needed to be sure you were ready

I wasn’t ready to talk, I wouldn’t have

called and texted more than ten times and got nothing

a pause on the line as Rayna turned to Ruby who’d forced her

you were counting," Rayna said,

of make it

need anyone to tell her

sighed, her voice softening. "I’m sorry, Ethan. I

of your

time. "I can’t believe I told you that. But yeah... you