Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 129: Convince Her

Once he arrived back home safely, Stefan pushed open the door to Ethan’s house and stepped inside, the click of the lock behind him sounding far too loud in the silence.

The space was dim, lit only by the soft golden glow of the entryway chandelier. He dropped his keys into the ceramic bowl by the door, their clink sharp in the quiet, then shrugged off his coat and draped it over the back of a chair.

He stood there for a long moment, his thoughts racing in circles.

He had gone to Rayna’s house with hope—a desperate kind of hope that maybe, just maybe, Ruby would be willing to hear him out. But that hope had shattered the second Rayna opened the door and stared at him like he was the last person she wanted to see.

And now he was back where he started or was it even worse?

He paced slowly toward the living room and dropped onto the couch with a heavy sigh, running both hands through his hair in frustration. The leather creaked under his weight, but the silence around him didn’t shift.

"How do I get past her?" he muttered to himself. "How do I reach Ruby when every path to her is blocked?"

He knew she was still hurting. Still angry.

And he deserved it. But why was Rayna holding so much grudge on you? He could understand Ruby’s but not Rayna’s.

He had stared into her eyes and hadn’t seen her—not really. He hadn’t looked past the illusion long enough to recognize her soul. Her heart. The woman he had kissed, laughed with, shared vulnerable moments with... and he hadn’t known it was her.

His heart clenched painfully for the pain he caused Ruby but felt angry at Rayna for holding so much grudge on him.

his coat slung over his arm and a file tucked under one hand. His steps were quick but steady, and the moment his eyes landed

file on the

jaw clenched slightly, and his gaze dropped to his hands

from him, studying his expression. "She wouldn’t talk

Rayna answered and told me to leave. Said

he didn’t look surprised. "Rayna’s protective. Always

huffed, leaning back into the couch, his head tilted back against the cushion. "I just... I didn’t expect her to be so hostile. I know I messed up, but I’m not the enemy here. I was deceived too. I just want to talk to Ruby. I need to tell her how sorry I am. I need her to accept me so

carefully for a moment, then leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his

maybe... I could try again when Rayna isn’t

firm line. "Or... you

at him. "What

hands steepled under his chin. "Instead of trying to bypass

Stefan blinked. "Convince her?"

Rayna as an obstacle. But she’s more than that—she’s Ruby’s best friend. Probably the closest person to her right now. If anyone can get through to Ruby, it’s Rayna. So why not talk to her? Be honest. Be real. Tell her what you just told me. Convince her that you’re worth

the idea rolling around in his mind like a coin that hadn’t yet landed. "But... why should I have to convince someone

Ethan replied. "But in this world—where Ruby is hurt and scared and doesn’t

knees now, face in his hands for a moment. He exhaled slowly, heavily. "She looked

now," Ethan said. "Show her best friend that you understand what you missed. That you want to make it right, not just with pretty words

Silence fell between them.