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.

across the floor. Her fingers absently ran along the rim of the half-empty coffee mug in her hand. She hadn’t taken another sip in the last ten minutes—not since Stefan had walked out of

full. Too loud.

her head on repeat. His voice. The sincerity in his eyes. The way he had spoken—not just with words, but with regret.

it and she hoped Ruby

of that child as though it meant something to him—not as a mistake, not as an obligation, but as part of the future he

sighed and leaned back slightly, her

all made sense

back to one thing. He loved her and he’d done everything right from looking around for her, to coming to Florittle, just to find

about how they’d found out she was Ruby’s friend, a faint smile graced her face. So Ethan had just helped her blindly then. What were the odds that they had a night stand and he was saving her unknowingly, three days later? And then they’d met six months

the bed. Silent now. Still. But the memory

had called. After all this

silence, he had finally

Stefan had spoken to her

was only calling her now because Stefan

didn’t he explain himself sooner? Why did he think

meant to hurt her—why hadn’t he told her everything the moment it all blew up?

someone else

of her cheek,

heart, she’d never stopped wanting to understand. To hear him out. Even when anger burned in her chest and disappointment laced her every thought, some

Ethan who made her laugh when she

anymore. Or if she could

phone buzzed again. A new message which she

address. Let me know

No dramatic words. Just plain, simple text. He sounded... nervous.

Just like her.

cracks she’d memorized over the