Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 162: Disappointed

As the door closed behind him, Rayna sat there, staring at the mug in her hands, her fingers tightening around the ceramic.

So that was it.

She’d allowed herself to believe in something soft. Something promising. Ethan had whispered possibilities into her ears in Florittle. He had made her laugh, made her feel like the center of something rare. And now? Now he couldn’t even be bothered to call.

Her pride screamed at her to delete his number. To let him go and call herself foolish for ever hoping he was different. Because clearly, he wasn’t.

He was just like the others. Just better at pretending.

And maybe it was a good thing he showed his true colors now. Maybe it was better to be disappointed early than devastated later.

She set her mug down and leaned back against the couch, pulling the throw blanket over herself.

But even as she told herself it was fine, even as she tried to pretend it didn’t matter, a quiet ache pulsed in her chest—persistent, undeniable.

She had let her guard down. And Ethan hadn’t even noticed.

Deciding not to waste her time thinking about Ethan, she stood up and headed to the kitchen, deciding to help with whatever she could just to get her mind off Ethan.

Moments later, the scent of warm vanilla and soft cinnamon wafted through the corridor as Rayna carefully balanced the breakfast tray in her hands.

and aversions—no eggs, no strong spices, no rich sauces. Just

taps against the wooden floor. The closer she got to Ruby and Stefan’s bedroom, the heavier her heart began to feel. It wasn’t the tray that was weighing her down. It

going

smile onto her face. This wasn’t about her. It was about Ruby, and Ruby deserved all the joy in the world. She

out from inside, soft

propped up against a mountain of pillows, her hands gently caressing her tiny bump as if in a silent conversation with the life growing inside her. Her long wavy chestnut brown hair tumbled across her shoulders, and despite

left even though

"Your breakfast, ma’am," she said in a mockingly formal tone, lifting the tray slightly as she

sat up straighter. "You’re the best,"

of the bed, smoothing her floral gown as she sat. Ruby

dress Stefan ordered for you come? He ordered it

delicate beadwork around the neckline. Honestly, I feel like I should be on a red carpet instead of attending a business event as a plus

sip of her almond milk. "He

upward. "Clearly. I mean, look who he’s

toward Rayna’s face. She didn’t miss the faint puffiness under her friend’s eyes, the tightness of her jaw, or the way she was holding herself

said gently, setting her toast down. "You’ve always had this brave face,

her shoulders deflating like a balloon let loose. She looked down

known," she murmured. "I really

gently touched her friend’s arm. "I’m sorry, Rayna. I know he might have a valid explanation, but

fact that I let him know my plans and then he makes me