Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 149: Dragon Lady

As they settled into the living room after breakfast, the easy atmosphere lingering between them, Elizabeth shifted slightly, her gaze falling on Ruby with thoughtful curiosity.

"I’ve been meaning to ask you," Elizabeth began softly, folding her hands neatly in her lap, you said you stayed with a friend while in Florittle. Do you trust her that much?"

Ruby offered a small smile, her hands resting over her lap. "Yes, I do. How can I not trust her?" she replied quietly. "Rayna... she’s been there for me through everything even before now, she’s been there for me. Always. When this happened and I called her... she didn’t even let me finish before she offered me her space to come clear my head. Honestly, I don’t know what I would’ve done without her."

Elizabeth’s expression softened, a genuine warmth lighting her eyes. "She must be a very good friend," she murmured, her voice touched with a rare tenderness. "To have taken such good care of you."

Ruby nodded, her lips curving slightly. "She is. She’s like the sister I never had. I owe her so much."

"I see. How long have you both known each other? Does she know Ivy too? Is she friends with Ivy?" Elizabeth asked and Ruby shook her head.

"No, she isn’t. She doesn’t even like Ivy since she’d seen Ivy talk disdainfully at me when we were much younger," Ruby said, wondering why Elizabeth was asking so much about Rayna and why she was keen on knowing if Ivy was connected to her.

Elizabeth nodded and a small thoughtful pause stretched between them before Elizabeth spoke again. "How about she moves over here? To Zeden," she suggested gently, her eyes meeting Ruby’s with sincerity. "I could help her settle—buy her a house, and Stefan could even get her a position in the company if she’d like that."

Ruby blinked, surprise flickering across her face. "Really?" she asked softly, uncertain if she’d heard right.

Elizabeth smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling faintly. "Yes. I think it would be good for you to have someone close. Someone you trust. And after everything she’s done for you, I think it’s only fair."

Since she’d first hand heard how evil Ivy could be and knowing Regina was also in support of Ivy, Elizabeth thought it would be nice to have Ruby have someone she could trust close to her. At least, then Ruby could be safe and not feel too heartbroken by the actions of people she called family.

A quiet warmth unfurled in Ruby’s chest at the unexpected offer. She hadn’t anticipated Elizabeth to be so considerate—not after everything—but this felt real. Genuine.

Though she wasn’t sure Rayna would agree to such an offer since she’d grown used to living in Florittle, Ruby wouldn’t mind raising the topic. She would nothing more than to have Rayna here. She had never thought of it but now that Elizabeth had mentioned it, she’d give it a shot.

"I would love that," Ruby admitted softly, her heart lifting. "But it’ll all depend on Rayna. I can’t make that decision for her. I’ll talk to her. See what she thinks."

you to know the offer stands. Family—" she paused briefly, her

to be family to Ruby weren’t acting like one, there was no

gratitude. For the first time, she felt the walls between them slowly, steadily

and Elizabeth had gone home, Ruby walked over to the balcony just off the living room since Stefan had gone into his study to

pulled her phone from her pocket,

she hadn’t. The guilt tugged at her heart, but so much had happened in such a short time that everything felt like a blur. She hadn’t even had enough time

to her ear. It didn’t take

usual playful tone barely masking the concern beneath. "I was

into a small smile, her heart warming at the familiar voice. "I’m so sorry," she murmured, shifting to lean against the balcony railing. "I should have called you last night

you were back safe and was too tired to call. I figured you’d call when you were

slightly

the chance to

too tired to call after the long Journey. He just wanted to let me know you were okay. It was sweet,

easing. "He’s been... incredible," she admitted softly, her eyes drifting over the gardens below. "Honestly, I don’t know what

deserve the world. And I’m glad he finally

"Actually, that’s part of why I’m calling.

What’s it?" she

apologized to me. She was waiting here already

a beat. "Wait. The dragon lady? She

"Yeah... I’m still

That’s big. Like, really big. She must really want what’s best for her son if she could

how I managed while I was away. I told her about you. And she actually

asked

here. To Zeden," Ruby explained cautiously, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "She offered to help you settle—get you a house, maybe even a position in the

anything. Ruby bit