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.

casting soft patterns across the floor. Her fingers absently ran along the rim of the half-empty

mind was too full. Too loud. Too

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

and she hoped Ruby would feel it too

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 obligation, but as

and leaned back slightly, her shoulders

all made sense

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

he’d said 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

bed. Silent now. Still. But the memory of it ringing earlier, and

had called. After all this

frustrating silence, he had finally picked up the phone. Not to explain. Not to apologize. Not to clear the

Why? Because Stefan had spoken to her about

calling her now because Stefan had watered the ground

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

truly cared—if he truly hadn’t been part of the lie, hadn’t meant to hurt her—why hadn’t he told her everything the moment it all blew

wait for someone else to

the inside of her

quietest corner of her 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 part of

her laugh when she didn’t

he was anymore. Or if

message which she had

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

stared at it for a long moment. No emojis. No dramatic words. Just plain, simple

Just like her.

herself sink back onto the pillows. Her eyes traced the ceiling, the familiar cracks she’d memorized over the last few weeks. Funny how