Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 100: Jetlagged

Chapter 100: Jetlagged

Ethan’s apartment was on the twelfth floor of a quiet, modern building tucked into the heart of Florittle. It wasn’t huge, but it was neat and full of life—plants near the windows, sneakers by the door, the scent of air freshener blending with the faint smell of takeout.

The living room was painted in soft cream, with a couch that looked more comfortable than stylish, and a wide coffee table stacked with random magazines and game controllers.

Stefan walked in, his steps slow, shoulders tight with exhaustion he was still trying to ignore. He dropped his bag beside the couch and stretched his neck with a small wince. fre.ewebnov el.com

"You made it," Ethan said, locking the door behind them. "Welcome to the glorious chaos that is my place."

Stefan chuckled quietly and looked around. "Not bad."

"Thank you, sir." Ethan gave a mock bow before flopping onto the couch.

Stefan ran a hand through his hair, then turned toward the hallway. "I’ll go freshen up. Be back in a bit. After that, we can sit down and figure out new ways to find Ruby." fre\e(w)ebn ov.e l\. co.m

Ethan frowned a little, eyes flicking to his friend’s tired face. "Man, no offense, but you look like a train hit you, not once but twice. You’ve been on a flight for what, sixteen hours? Just rest tonight. We can make a plan tomorrow. You’re here already, and we’ll find her."

"I’m not jetlagged," Stefan replied stubbornly. "We talk tonight, and then I’ll sleep."

"If you say so," Ethan muttered, but he didn’t push it.

Stefan turned to leave, but paused halfway down the hallway. He glanced back at Ethan, who was now fiddling with his phone again, screen lighting up for the fourth time in five minutes.

"I wanted to ask which would be my room but I think I need to ask this first," he said and Ethan raised a brow.

"You can take the second room, man. It’s a two bedroom apartment so your room is the only empty room. So ask what you want to ask," he said and Stefan nodded.

"Are you expecting a call from someone important?" Stefan asked, one eyebrow lifting.

Ethan nearly dropped the phone in surprise and realized why Stefan must be asking him that. He quickly shook his head. "What? No. No, not at all."

"You sure?" Stefan narrowed his eyes, curiosity piqued when he saw Ethan’s reaction. "You’ve been checking that thing since we left the airport like it owes you money."

He was sure Ethan was expecting a call and from a lady seeing how he was lying through his teeth. Stefan thought with a smirk.

Ethan laughed a little too quickly. "Come on, man. I’m just scrolling. It’s a habit. You know me."

Stefan didn’t respond right away. He stared at Ethan for a beat longer, as if trying to read something behind the casual grin. But then he shrugged lightly. "Alright. Whatever you say."

"Good," Ethan said, clearing his throat. "Now go freshen up, and come back down. We’ll figure out our next move, especially since those airport security guys were no help."

"Yeah, that’s still annoying," Stefan muttered, remembering what Ethan had told him earlier. "CCTV footage might’ve shown where she went after landing... but no, privacy laws."

"We’ll find another way," Ethan said firmly.

Stefan nodded and turned toward the hallway again. "I’ll be quick."

As soon as he stepped into Ethan’s guestroom, he went straight to the bathroom to freshen up. Though he didn’t want to think it, he knew his body ached and he needed a lot of rest. Well, he’d get it after speaking with Ethan. He told himself as he stepped into the bathroom.

The hot water ran over his shoulders like a silent conversation. Stefan leaned against the cool tile wall, eyes closed, letting the steam soak into his skin. He hadn’t realized how tight his body felt until now.

The past few days had stretched endlessly—first the realization and the stress that comes with it, then the confrontations, then the decision to leave, then the flight, and now this: being here in Florittle, so close and yet so far from Ruby.

Her name echoed in his head like a whisper he couldn’t chase.

Where are you, Ruby? Are you okay? Are you thinking about me too... or have you already moved on? How long would it take me to find you? Would you forgive me for the pain and hurt I caused you? How am I going to find you?

He finished up, changed into a plain T-shirt and joggers Ethan had obviously helped him pick out after dropping his bag in the room.

His eyes swept the room—simple, clean, just a nightstand, a soft bed with fresh sheets, and thick curtains drawn halfway over the windows.

When he got in just now, he hadn’t had the time to really look at the room but doing so now, he realized this was far more better than being in his mansion, breathing the same air as Ivy.

Thinking about her, he briefly wondered if she’d signed the papers and then made a mental note to call his lawyer tomorrow and find out.

He sat down at the edge of the bed, telling himself it would just be for a few minutes.

He’d relax for just five minutes to get himself back, he told himself. Just to close my eyes. Then I’ll go back out. Talk. Plan. Keep moving.

He lay back slowly, the mattress sinking beneath him like it was welcoming the weight he’d been carrying for too long. Just as his back hit the bed, his eyes slipped shut.

Two hours later, Ethan knocked on the door lightly before peeking in. The room was dim, quiet.

There, sprawled across the bed like a man who had finally run out of reasons to fight sleep, was Stefan. One arm draped over his stomach, his other hand slightly curled near his head. His breathing was deep and even, the tension finally gone from his jaw.

Ethan stood there for a second, watching him. Then he chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I told you. But you just had to argue, huh?"

He pulled the door halfway shut and left the room in silence, letting Stefan rest at last.

Tomorrow, they’d begin the search. But tonight—tonight, the battle could pause. Just for a little while. Stefan needed to be in a good frame of mind to think properly and he’d only do that if he was well rested.