Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 134: Whys

He frowned when there was no answer. Sighing heavily, he dropped the phone on the desk, disappointment etched on his face, undeniable.

But seconds later, the screen lit up with an incoming call from Rayna. His heart skipped and he picked it up immediately.

"Hello?"

"Hi," Rayna’s voice came through, hesitant but calm.

"Hey," Ethan said, and for a moment, they both fell silent.

It was awkward, like walking barefoot over broken glass.

He’d been the one to call her and here he was, hi–ing and hey–ing her. What was wrong with him? Ethan mused as he took a deep breath.

"Listen," Ethan started, "can we talk? Maybe grab a few drinks later this evening? Just... talk."

Rayna didn’t respond at first. He could hear the faint sound of her breath, maybe even the muffled voices of the city beyond her.

Then, softly, she said, "Sure."

A breath of relief escaped him.

"Great. I’ll send you the address. Thank you, Rayna. For agreeing to meet up."

"Hmm," she hummed, and the call ended.

Ethan stared at his phone, a small, hopeful smile tugging at his lips.

It wasn’t much. But it was something.

of her bed, the pale morning light filtering through her window, casting soft patterns across the floor. Her fingers absently ran along the rim of the half-empty

full. Too loud. Too

head on repeat. His voice. The sincerity in his eyes.

wasn’t pretending. She’d felt it and

hidden beneath her pain and silence. Stefan had spoken of that child as though it meant something to him—not as a

and leaned back slightly, her

made sense

loved her and he’d done everything right from looking around for her, to coming

then. What were the odds that they had a night stand and he was saving her unknowingly, three days later? And

the bed. Silent now. Still. But the memory of it ringing earlier, and his voice on the other end of the line—it

After all this

get answers, being met with cold distance and frustrating silence, he had finally picked up the phone. Not to explain. Not to apologize. Not to

to meet up. For drinks. Why? Because Stefan had spoken to her

only calling her now because Stefan had watered the ground but then the question returned,

himself sooner? Why did he think she wouldn’t have

been part of the lie, hadn’t meant to hurt her—why hadn’t he told her everything the moment it all blew up? Why wait for Stefan to say it

else

chewed the inside of her cheek, her

To hear him out. Even when anger burned in her chest and disappointment laced her

who made her laugh

wasn’t sure who he was anymore. Or if

message which she had no doubt

just sent the address. Let me know when you’re close.

for a long moment. No emojis. No dramatic words. Just

Just like her.

and let herself sink back onto the pillows. Her eyes traced the ceiling, the familiar cracks she’d memorized over the last few weeks. Funny how the world could change so much and yet the