Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 164: Let’s Date Already

The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of Winters Corporation, its sleek black surface gleaming under the golden sunlight of late morning. Ruby adjusted her sunglasses as the driver opened the door for her. She stepped out carefully, one hand carefully carrying her purse, the other holding onto Rayna’s arm.

"You didn’t have to come with me, you know," Ruby said softly as they headed inside, nodding politely to the staff that bowed their heads in greeting.

Rayna chuckled, linking her arm more tightly through Ruby’s. "Are you kidding? I’m not missing the sight of you walking into this building like a queen. Plus, I get to see your boss-slash-husband-in-the-making in his natural habitat."

Ruby smiled. Stefan had indeed become something of a natural habitat to her—steady, comforting, and always there.

As they entered the private elevator reserved for executives, Rayna tapped her fingers against her thigh, clearly unable to hide her excitement. She glanced sideways at Ruby. "So... this office of his... is it as fine as he is?"

Ruby smirked. "You’ll see soon enough. But I should warn you—Stefan’s taste in office décor is suspiciously minimalist. Lots of glass, greys, and dramatic lighting. Very ’brooding CEO’ vibes."

They both laughed, the sound echoing slightly in the elevator before it softly chimed and opened directly into Stefan’s floor.

Ruby stepped out first, but Rayna lingered a moment, adjusting her earrings in the mirrored wall before following behind.

The first thing they noticed when they walked into Stefan’s office was the figure standing near the large window. Tall, broad-shouldered, and instantly familiar.

"Ethan?" Rayna’s voice came out high-pitched and uncertain, as though her mind hadn’t quite caught up to her eyes.

He turned around immediately, as though her voice had struck something deep inside him. His gaze locked onto hers. For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Then, instinctively, Rayna took a step forward.

"Rayna..." he breathed, his voice thick with equal excitement. He’d done all these to get her attention but seeing her now, he just realized how much he’d missed her, too.

across her face before she caught herself. Her smile faltered. Her excitement morphed into

acting like everything’s okay? You

"I know. I know I messed up. But I—Rayna, I didn’t know where I stood with you. After the way you brushed me off, I thought... maybe I was reading too

what? You just shut down? Ghosted me because of your pride? Besides, when have I ever made you

we shared didn’t mean anything. I remember letting you know how I felt about you right from that night, six months ago. Yet, you keep making it look like it was just a fling. Or so I thought. When you saw me just now... the way you smiled. You looked happy to

happy to see him, even if

know you do. I

rose and fell rapidly. She wanted to argue, to say something sarcastic, to keep her guard up—but her lips quivered with an involuntary

caught somewhere between defiance and vulnerability. "Maybe

made her feel like she was the only girl

believe I’m saying this... but I think so too.

in before she could change her mind and pressed a quick, sweet kiss to her lips—just as Stefan walked into the room, followed closely

with a teasing smile. "Is this still my office, or should I give you two the

back of his neck sheepishly. Ruby laughed and shook her head. "Guess we should’ve knocked

he came to her side. "I told

her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile.

hand on Ruby’s back. "We should probably get going. The event starts in two

the very event you got me a red carpet

the back of his head. "Actually.. it was me. I got the dress for you," Ethan said and Ruby frowned since she’d been there when

he saw

decided to let it slide even though she didn’t like that he was