Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 112: Go With The Flow

Chapter 112: Go With The Flow

Ethan stretched under the covers, blinking against the soft light that filtered through his bedroom window.

For a moment, he lay still, his mind caught in that groggy space between sleep and wakefulness. The events of last night slowly came rushing back—the conversation with Rayna, her wearing Ruby’s gown, and the way Stefan’s face had gone still when he heard everything.

Ethan rubbed his eyes, pushed the blanket off, and sat up with a sigh.

He padded barefoot across the room, ran a hand through his hair, and opened the door.

But the sight that greeted him in the living room made him pause in surprise. \n(o)v.e\l.com

Stefan was already awake. Not just awake, but fully dressed. He stood near the large window, the morning light casting soft shadows across his face. His hands were shoved in the pockets of his slacks, and there was a tension in the air around him—thick and charged, like a storm waiting to break.

Ethan frowned. "You’re up early... and dressed even."

Stefan turned to face him, his brows knitting. "Shouldn’t I be?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," Stefan said, voice flat, "you told me where Ruby is last night. So, isn’t it natural that we go there today?"

Ethan’s eyes widened slightly. "You mean now? This morning?" f\r(e)ewe.b no\vel.com

"Yes." Stefan’s tone held no hesitation. "The sooner, the better. Or don’t you think so?"

Ethan’s frown deepened as he walked further into the room. "I thought we were going to wait a bit. Let things cool down. Let me... you know, spend more time with Rayna first. Win her trust. Get her to like me."

Stefan turned fully toward him now. "Why should I wait for you to get a girl to like you before I fight for the woman I love? I could be trying to win her heart while you go about winning your girl’s heart, too. I can’t wait anymore, Ethan. I’ve waited long enough. I need to see her. I need to know where we stand. I need to see her face, hear her voice—anything. Just something to remind me that she’s real and not just some memory I’m clinging to. I need to be sure I’ve finally found her, Ethan."

There was something raw in his voice now, something almost desperate. Ethan watched him carefully, seeing the weariness behind his usually calm exterior.

"Alright," Ethan said quietly. "If that’s what you want, I’ll take you there. Just... give me a few minutes to shower and get dressed."

"Fine." Stefan gave a stiff nod, then turned back to the window as Ethan headed to the bathroom.

The sound of water running filled the apartment a few minutes later, but Stefan barely heard it. fr eewe(b)nove.l.co\m

He was pacing now.

His steps slow, measured, but restless—like he was trying to outrun his own thoughts.

What if she slams the door in my face?

The question hit him like a punch. He swallowed hard, his hand brushing over the back of the couch as he walked.

What if she doesn’t even want to see me?

He thought about the gown again—the one she had once clutched so lovingly in her hands. The same one Rayna had worn on a date.

He hadn’t asked for much. He hadn’t cared about wealth or status or even answers. All he’d wanted... was her. And now, it felt like he might have lost her forever just because of that mistake. Not listening.

He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the ache that never really left.

She’s angry. Of course she is. She gave away the dress. That means she doesn’t care anymore.

But that didn’t stop the part of him that still hoped. That part of him that still wanted and still believed.

What do I say to her when I see her? Do I start by telling her I know she was the one who stayed with me all those months? Do I tell her I knew it was her voice, her touch, even if I couldn’t see? Do I start by saying I’m sorry... or by telling her I love her?

His mind spun with a thousand thoughts, each one heavier than the last. He could picture her face—those big, conflicted eyes, her soft lips parting in surprise. He could imagine the anger, the heartbreak. The betrayal she must have felt.

He’d broken her. And yet... he couldn’t stop needing her.

The bathroom door clicked open, and Ethan stepped out, fully dressed, towel drying his hair.

He took one look at Stefan who was now in his room and stopped mid-step.

"You look like you’re about to pass out," he said lightly.

Stefan didn’t smile. He hadn’t even known when he got into the room.

"I’m just... trying to prepare myself," he muttered.

Ethan tossed the towel over the back of a chair and walked toward him. "Relax, man. You’re not going to war. You’re going to see the woman you love and make things right."

"That’s the problem," Stefan said, running a hand through his hair. "I love her. But I don’t know if that’s enough to make things right anymore."

"It might be. I mean, you don’t even know exactly how she’s feeling toward you," Ethan said, trying to offer a smile. "Who knows? She might not be as angry as you think."

"You saw what she did with the gown."

"Yeah, but people do confusing things when they’re hurt. Giving away a dress doesn’t mean she stopped loving you. It might just mean she doesn’t know what to do with the feelings."

Stefan didn’t answer right away as he thought of everything again, right from when it started.

Ethan stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Just... go with the flow, okay? Don’t push too hard. Just show her you still care. Show her you know the truth and you’re here. Maybe that’s all she needs."

Stefan nodded once, slowly. But inside, he still felt the unease—the fear of the unknown, the fear that this morning could change everything, one way or another.

They both walked out of the room and when they got to the living room, Ethan picked up his car keys from the table.

As they stepped out into the sunlight, Stefan’s chest felt tight. The breeze brushed against his face, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside him.

He was walking toward something uncertain. Toward love, maybe. Or heartbreak.

But at least... he was finally moving. And he would rather face Ruby’s wrath than live one more day not knowing if he’d found her or not.