Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 114: Your Choice

The early morning sunlight filtered through the windows as Ruby fastened the buttons on her cardigan, glancing at the clock on the wall. They were right on time. She told herself but as her eyes remained on the clock, her mind drifted of it’s own volition to a place she didn’t want it to.

It had been exactly seven days since she left Zeden, seven days since her entire world collapsed in front of her. Yet the ache in her chest hadn’t dulled. Not even for a second.

She’d thought the distance would help. That maybe the sound of the sea and the peaceful quiet of this small coastal town would silence the memories. But the silence only made them louder.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Stefan—broken, angry, accusing. Not once had he let her speak. Not once had he seen her pain. She sighed, pushing the thoughts aside. This shouldn’t be what she should be thinking on a day like this. Why was he even on her mind today?

"You’ve got everything?" she asked, turning toward Rayna, who was standing by the hallway mirror, fluffing her curly black hair and checking her reflection for the third time.

"Phone, keys, lip balm," Rayna counted off, then looked over her shoulder. "Check, check, and check. You know, we might actually pull this off, Rubes."

Ruby smiled faintly and adjusted the strap of her handbag. Her nerves danced just beneath the surface. This wasn’t just any appointment—they were finally going to see another space that could be their own. Something she could to help herself through this phase. Something that can actually get her busy and keep her mind off Stefan.

They were almost at the door when Rayna spoke again, her voice casual but pointed.

"Hey, by the way, why didn’t you invest in that stock you helped your mom with? You know, the one you also mentioned to me about last month? You know we’re hitting it big from that investment?"

Ruby paused, her fingers grazing the doorknob. She drew in a slow breath, her gaze flickering to Rayna’s curious face.

"I was going to," she started, her tone quiet, "but—"

She was still saying when she swung the door open.

And there he was.

Stefan.

inches away, his

Silence fell over everything.

The birds outside? Quiet.

Even she

heart slammed in her chest as she stared at him—his expression unreadable, his presence so sudden it felt like the air had been punched out

like leaves in a storm. Words failed her.

idea what he’d

even begin to imagine why he was there. She took a look at him.

her nightmares. He hadn’t shaved. His hair was messier than usual and he was also looking at her with those stormy gray eyes she’d somehow gotten used to looking into even though

chosen Ivy that day so why was he standing

in her ears. Her hands instinctively clenched

looked at him,

found me. How

fall apart in private. She didn’t want to feel again. She didn’t want to

of her like the last seven days had meant nothing and he

lump in her throat. "You shouldn’t be here," she

hesitant step forward.

"I said you shouldn’t

flinched at the coldness in her tone, but she didn’t care. He’d crushed her without listening. He’d chosen to believe Ivy—the one who had run

know the truth now. I know it was

her arms. "Now you can take that truth and leave. I have somewhere

"Please—just let me talk—"