Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 104: Something Like Love

Rayna stood in front of the mirror, her eyes scanning the reflection that stared back at her. She had tried on three different outfits already, and none of them felt right fir the dinner date.

The pink floral dress was too casual, the black one too serious, and the navy blue one too boring. Her room was now littered with rejected clothes—some tossed on the bed, others draped over the chair. f|re(e)web.n\ovel. (c)o.m

She turned to where Ruby was sitting cross-legged on the edge of the bed, nibbling on a piece of biscuit with a thoughtful look on her face.

"I don’t know what to wear," Rayna said with a frustrated sigh. "Everything just feels... wrong. Like I’m trying too hard."

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "You are trying too hard. That’s the problem."

Rayna gave her a mock glare. "Gee, thanks. That helps."

Ruby laughed softly and stood, brushing crumbs from her lap. She walked over to her room and straight to the closet. She pulled it open, her fingers moving through the hangers like she was searching for treasure.

Rayna, who had followed her, curious as to why she was leaving the room that way, tilted her head, her curiosity written clearly on her face.

"What are you doing?" .com

"I’m helping you fix this fashion disaster," Ruby said lightly, then suddenly stopped. Her fingers froze on a plastic-covered hanger and slowly pulled it out. "Wear this."

Rayna blinked. "That’s new. I’ve never seen you wear that before."

Ruby didn’t answer right away. Her eyes lingered on the dress—a deep emerald green gown that shimmered slightly under the light. It was sleeveless, with delicate embroidery at the waist and a soft, flowing skirt that looked like something out of a dream. Elegant but not too formal. Feminine but not loud. It was beautiful.

"I kept it for a special day," Ruby said quietly, still looking at the dress. "Stefan got it for me... back when I thought someday he’d see me. I wanted to wear it to the first dinner date we’ve have after he got his sight back."

breath caught, and she stepped

wasn’t much to say. I just kept hoping. I wanted the moment to be perfect, you know? But now..." she gave a soft shrug, "he has Ivy. He doesn’t need to see me anymore. I’ve let

gentle. "Rubes... are you sure? You could still keep it. For later. Maybe

time. I’m pregnant. I’ll have a baby to raise. I don’t think love fits in that picture

to say something comforting, but the words caught in her throat. Because deep

said softly, holding it out to her. "You still have your chance. Use

her heart aching. "I can’t wear this, Ruby. This... this meant something to you. You should be the one wearing

Wear it tonight. If anything, at least one of us gets the happy

in her arms, her fingers gently brushing the silky fabric. It felt heavier than she expected, like it carried not just

or the fact that Ruby had totally written love off her book, she decided to take the gown and wear it. Not fir Ethan, but to give Ruby something else to be hopeful about. Her life. Ruby would be too interested in getting her

the lump in her throat.

stepped out of the bathroom, and Ruby

and her black hair, loosely curled, rested just above her shoulders like a halo. She had on light makeup—just enough to highlight

look like someone straight out of a fairy tale," Ruby

how to feel. "Are you sure

rolled her eyes. "You’re doing just enough. Trust me. Ethan won’t know

smoothing the front of the gown. "You know what still

"What?"

him pick me up. I mean,

resting a gentle hand on Rayna’s shoulder. "Why didn’t you let

don’t really know him yet. Not like that. And honestly..." she looked up, locking eyes with Ruby, "I didn’t want to put you in an awkward position. I wasn’t sure

you to go. I want to meet