Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 160

Chapter 160: Fairytale

The evening had settled in like a calm, velvet blanket over the Winters estate.

Dinner had been light, and now the three lounged in the cozy living room. The scent of lavender from the diffuser lingered in the air. The television played a documentary none of them was watching, and the atmosphere was the kind that needed no words to be understood. Peaceful, familiar, safe.

Stefan leaned into the corner of the couch, one arm resting behind Ruby who had her head nestled on his shoulder. Across from them, Rayna sat curled on the loveseat, legs folded under her as her fingers scrolled aimlessly through her phone. Her brows would occasionally crease, her thumb hovering over the screen before she set it aside again. Then moments later, she’d pick it up and check again.

She’d done it too much that even Stefan who hadn’t been paying attention to her noticed.

"You keep checking your phone. Are you expecting a call or something?" he asked, his voice laced with casual curiosity when he saw that Ruby wasn’t asking.

Ruby lifted her head slightly to look at Rayna, her lips curving with amusement. "Exactly! That’s how she’s been since morning. Looking at the phone like it holds the secrets to the universe."

Rayna rolled her eyes dramatically but didn’t deny it. "I’m just keeping track of the engagement on the blog post I made about Ivy’s stunt. I’m monitoring the analytics."

Ruby raised an eyebrow, settling back into Stefan. "Mhm. That’s what you said this morning. And two hours ago. And just before dinner. No matter what you say, I still think you’re waiting for a call and you better tell me who that person is."

Rayna made a face and sank deeper into the loveseat. "Okay, maybe I’m expecting a little something. But not from who you’re thinking."

Ruby chuckled softly. "Sure. You wouldn’t be this forlorn if it isn’t from who I was expecting."

She yawned then, covering her mouth with one hand. "Anyway, I think I’ll head upstairs now. I’m really tired."

Stefan kissed the top of her head. "That means I’m going up too."

Ruby turned her head toward Rayna. "Don’t stay up too late. And don’t keep staring at that phone or you’ll start seeing things. Instead of waiting anxiously, just call whoever it is."

Rayna threw a cushion at her playfully. "Yeah, yeah. Goodnight, lovebirds."

"Goodnight, Ray," Ruby said, smiling as Stefan helped her to her feet.

They ascended the stairs, hands intertwined like it was the most natural thing in the world, leaving behind the fading echoes of their laughter.

The moment they were gone, the silence crept in again. Rayna stared at the now-darkened screen of her phone lying beside her. She reached for it again, not because of the blog. Not because of analytics or engagement.

But because of Ethan.

contacts. Still no text. No call. Not even a silly emoji to say, "Hey, did you land

sound loud

She wasn’t stupid. And maybe that was the reason he didn’t bother calling. But still—it stung. Why wouldn’t he even try to

to breathe when everything felt like it was crashing

hadn’t been refreshing her messages every hour hoping

around herself, curling tighter into the

Ask about something random and pretend he hadn’t bothered to check with her. But

Her pride flared.

wouldn’t do it. She

courting me," she whispered to herself. "Not the other way

much room in her heart, hence the struggle to not think about him when he obviously isn’t thinking

time to call herself to

shoulders, ready to retreat to the guest room and sleep the ache away,

sat upright, blinking as

is everything okay? Do

"Yeah, everything’s fine. I just needed to talk to

eyes immediately sharpened with concern. "Is she alright?" she

What could’ve gone wrong with

head. "No, no. She’s fine.

dropping in relief. "Okay. You scared me a little. What is it?" she asked curiously, wondering what it could be that he hadn’t discussed earlier and had waited till

about

knowing how to start the conversation. He ran a

chair, like someone preparing to say something they’d been holding onto for

to Ruby," he said

Rayna’s eyes widened. "What?"

heard him

about it all day. Not just the proposal... but the wedding. I want us to get married in two weeks after the proposal. I don’t want to wait till after she gives birth and I don’t want Ivy or anyone to say silly things about her when people realize

he said. He was indeed the best man... only man worthy of

Stefan nodded. "Dead serious."

a wide, radiant grin. "Oh my God, Stefan.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255