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.

the edge 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 coffee

full.

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

it and she hoped

then there was the baby. That tiny life Ruby had been protecting fiercely, hidden beneath her pain and silence. Stefan had spoken of that child as though it meant something to him—not as a mistake, not as an

back slightly, her

made

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

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

the memory of it

After all

frustrating silence, he had finally

Because Stefan had spoken

understand that he was only calling her now because Stefan had watered

himself sooner? Why did he think she wouldn’t

hadn’t been part of the lie, hadn’t meant to hurt her—why hadn’t he told her everything the moment

for someone else to clear

of her cheek,

understand. To hear him out. Even when anger burned

Ethan who made her laugh when she

Or if she could ever see him the

new message which she had no doubt was

sent the address. Let me know when you’re close. Looking forward to

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

Just like her.

slowly, setting the mug aside, 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