Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

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.

text. No call. Not even a silly emoji to

the sound loud in the quiet

that was the reason he didn’t bother calling. But still—it stung. Why wouldn’t he even

anyone’s validation. She was the strong one. The one who told Ruby to breathe when everything felt like it was crashing down. The

to herself, pretending like she hadn’t been refreshing her messages every hour hoping

her arms around herself,

he hadn’t bothered to check with her. But then again, wasn’t he the one pursuing

Her pride flared.

She wouldn’t do it. She wouldn’t

whispered

she was giving him too much room in her heart, hence the

was time to call herself

blanket around her shoulders, ready to retreat to the guest room

blinking as Stefan came

brow, confused. "Hey... is everything

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

concern. "Is she alright?" she asked, straightening. "Did

gone

his head. "No, no. She’s fine. She’s

she asked curiously, wondering what

about

not knowing how to start the conversation. He ran a hand

nervous—almost boyish—about the way he shifted in the chair, like someone preparing to

propose to Ruby," he said

Rayna’s eyes widened. "What?"

she heard

thinking 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

said, thinking about what he said. He was indeed the best man...

Stefan nodded. "Dead serious."

at him. And then, slowly, her lips parted into a wide, radiant grin. "Oh my God, Stefan. That’s amazing! Thank you for always thinking about her well being and