Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 117: I’m Sorry

The engine’s hum filled the silence in the car as Rayna drove through the winding coastal roads. Ruby sat slumped in the passenger seat, her arms wrapped around herself like a shield.

The wind outside blurred into streaks against the glass, but inside, it felt like time had slowed. The tightness in her chest hadn’t eased. If anything, it had only grown heavier.

"I can’t believe he came all the way here," she muttered, her voice low and trembling. "I left for a reason. I just... I didn’t want to feel like this again." free.webn\ove(l)(.)c(o)m

Rayna reached over and turned down the radio volume. "I know, Rubes. I know. That wasn’t fair of him."

Ruby let out a bitter laugh. "Fair? Since when has anything about this entire situation been fair? He didn’t even give me a chance, Ray. Not once. I begged for just a simple chance to speak to him but he... he just looked at me like I was some kind of manipulative monster. And now he shows up like the wounded victim, talking about how he loves me?"

Rayna gave a soft sigh but didn’t interrupt.

"I stood there," Ruby continued, her voice rising. "I stood there, right in front of him the day he got his sight back—his sight, Rayna—and the first thing he and his dear wife did was accuse me. Humiliate me. All that time I was by his side, taking care of him, lying for him, protecting his image, fighting against his enemies, fighting for his company.... it meant nothing."

She turned her face toward the window, blinking furiously. "It’s like I never mattered. Not as Ruby, not even as Ivy. I was just a pawn in Elizabeth’s and Ivy’s twisted play."

Rayna reached over again and placed a hand on Ruby’s arm, her grip warm and grounding. "You did matter. He just didn’t see it soon enough."

too late now," Ruby whispered. "Everything hurts too

into a quiet overlook, parking in front of the sea. She turned off the ignition and looked at Ruby gently. "You don’t have to hold it together for me, Ruby. You

broke

the last week—of the months of deception, the heartbreak, the betrayal—come spilling out. Rayna held her, letting her cry,

sorry," she said hoarsely. "I didn’t mean to

a crooked smile. "It’s nothing, Rubes. Being here to console you when you break down? It’s what

away, then hesitated before murmuring, "I’m sorry, Ray. That Stefan used Ethan to find me. That it

used to men using me. Should’ve known better than to trust one just because he seemed decent once or twice. I should’ve just left it at what it was. A one

shook her head quickly. "No, don’t say that, Ray. This isn’t Ethan’s fault. It’s Stefan. He’s the one

sharp breath, her brows lifting skeptically. "Ruby, come on. Don’t defend him. He was at your doorstep. In Stefan’s car. Just sitting there. I don’t care what sweet things he said

so," Ruby said quietly. "Ethan and

nodded slowly, watching

me. There wasn’t even a connection back then. I honestly believe he asked you out on the date because he liked you. The rest... I think he just got caught up in

giving

who’s been sincere in all this madness, it’s Ethan. I’m sure he never approached you just for Stefan to get to me. I mean, you said it yourself. He liked you right from that night six months ago. Maybe you both would’ve been dating

really do. But maybe now’s not the time to chase the maybes. Maybe right now,