Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 143: Courting Rayna

The soft hum of the engine and the occasional whoosh of the breeze as they sped down the Florittle countryside road were the only sounds that filled the space.

The early morning sun cast long golden rays over the fields, and a flock of birds flew across the sky, their wings cutting through the light like shadows in motion.

Rayna sat in the passenger seat, her head leaning gently against the window. Her arms were folded across her chest, and her lips were pressed into a tight line. She wasn’t speaking. She hadn’t said much since they left the airstrip. What could she say when her heart was heavy?

Ethan glanced at her from the driver’s seat. He noticed how her eyes followed the sky—distant, unfocused. Her fingers tapped gently on her thigh, and every few seconds, her lips trembled like she was fighting to hold something back.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and careful, like he didn’t want to break something fragile.

Rayna let out a slow breath and blinked quickly. She turned her face away, wiping at her cheek before the tear fully escaped.

"I’m fine," she said. Her voice cracked slightly.

"You don’t look fine," Ethan replied gently. "Are you crying?"

Rayna gave a small, sad laugh and shook her head, but it wasn’t convincing. "No. Maybe. I don’t know."

Ethan pulled the car gently onto a quieter road, where trees lined the path and the sunlight filtered through the branches, making it look like they were driving through a golden tunnel.

"You want to talk about it? Wait, is this about Ruby leaving?" he asked, thinking that could be the only thing to make Rayna cry or be this sad.

Rayna swallowed, then nodded slowly.

"I miss her," she said finally. "I know it’s silly. I should be happy for her. I am happy for her. But..." she paused, struggling with the words. "I just got so used to having her around. Living with her. Laughing, fighting, cooking together, bickering about her not folding laundry right or her taking her routine drugs or not drinking coffee. And now... it’s just me."

Ethan didn’t say anything for a moment. He let the silence sit, his hand gripping the steering wheel while he thought.

with Stefan for years. I know how close you and Ruby

smile and looked

not allowed to feel sad she’s gone.

it this fast. Like, the moment she waved goodbye and climbed into that shiny jet, it hit me. She’s really going back. Starting a new

sideways, watching her with kind

taking a piece of you with her?"

looked at him then, her eyes

reached over and gently touched her hand where it rested on her lap. His touch

you, you know. She’s just starting a new Chapter. And you’ll always

her throat tightened again. "Still hurts," she

"But think about it this way—she’s not going to Zeden to suffer. Stefan loves her. Truly. You saw it yourself. The guy nearly lost his mind when he was looking

"Yeah.

whole again because of her. So you’re not losing her. You’re just... giving her to someone who’s going to take care of her the way

The clouds moved slowly overhead, and the sun was warmer now,

"I guess," she murmured.

smiled. "Still doesn’t

"Not really."

a moment of silence

thought of us focusing

slowly to look at him in amusement.

teasing smile. "You know.

tilted her head, her heart

"I like you, Rayna.

turned pink, and she looked away, trying to hide her smile. "Is... is that how you court someone you love?" she

he be talking about that

enjoying her reaction. "Are you saying you want me to