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?"

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

maybe you should call her again. I think we should try reaching her again. This

ten times. She doesn’t want to talk to me. I think I got the message even though I

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

the phone like it might burn him. "I

best. If she doesn’t pick, I’ll try not

hovered over the call

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

voice. Soft, cautious,

when he heard her voice across the phone and without thinking, he hit

sitting up straight.

snapped, dropping the phone on the table like it had betrayed him. "I didn’t

her for six months and you didn’t know

expect her to actually pick up!" Ethan groaned, running both hands down

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

picking up the phone with shaking hands. "But what do I even say now?" he asked and Stefan looked

her—since she’s been ignoring your calls. If

breathing in and out deeply, like he was preparing for war. He glanced at Stefan,

muttered, hitting the dial

ring, Ethan’s heart thudded against his chest.

"Hello?" came her voice again, soft and

slowly. "Hey... sorry I hung up earlier. I just needed to be sure you were ready to talk to

smile in her voice now. "If I wasn’t ready to talk, I wouldn’t have given you

his brow. "Really? Then how come I called and texted more than

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

were counting,"

mock sigh. "You kind of make it

she didn’t need anyone to tell her what it

her voice softening. "I’m sorry, Ethan. I didn’t mean to ignore you. I’ve just... been

Taking care of your pregnant friend, I

I told you that. But yeah... you could