Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 116: Someday Sooner

Chapter 116: Someday Sooner

Stefan stood there for a long time after the car drove away, staring at the empty road like he could somehow will it to bring her back. But it didn’t. Of course, it didn’t. She was gone.

The cold morning air clung to his skin, but he barely noticed. His hand dropped slowly to his side where it had almost touched hers. That brief second—that one moment when he thought he could stop her—was gone now. Just like she was.

He let out a breath, heavy and broken, as he dragged his fingers through his hair.

That didn’t go the way he thought it would. Not even close.

In his mind, he imagined her looking shocked, maybe even upset—but not like this. Not filled with so much pain. So much anger. Her words still echoed in his ears:

"You made a choice, Stefan. So live with it."

That had cut deeper than anything else. Because she was right. He had made a choice.

And now he was standing here, feeling the weight of it settle into his chest like a stone he couldn’t shake off.

What should he do now? Should he just wait for her to return? At least he knew she’d return. Would it be wise? She looked really upset so would it be wise to wait for her? What should he do now?

He turned his head slowly toward the car parked down the street. Ethan was still inside. Stefan watched as his best friend looked up, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. Ethan didn’t move, didn’t wave. He just sat there, looking like he wanted to disappear.

He would’ve wanted to wait but he doubted that decision was what was best at the moment. Maybe he needed to give her time now that he had seen her. Time to know that he was here for her and wanted her back.

Stefan exhaled deeply before walking toward the car. Every step felt heavier than the last.

When he finally reached the passenger side, Ethan unlocked the door from inside. Stefan climbed in silently, closing it behind him. For a moment, neither of them said anything. The only sound was the soft hum of the engine and the low chirp of distant birds.

Ethan was the first to speak.

"I’m sorry," he said quietly, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel.

Stefan shook his head slowly, staring out the window. "No. I’m the one who should be sorry. I dragged you into this... all of it. I didn’t think—I just wanted to find her. I didn’t realize what it would cost you. I thought.... oh, my god. I don’t know what I was even thinking."

Ethan gave a small, tired laugh. "You think I care about the cost, man? She’s angry, yeah. She probably won’t speak to me for a while... maybe ever. But I get it. I really get it. But I’m sure everything would fall in place in due time."

He has taken his time in the car to think about the situation and everything that had happened. Though he knew Rayna could be hurting—damn, she was hurting, he knew nothing he’d say to her now would make sense.

He’d just have to hope everything between Stefan and Ruby would be resolved, only then would whatever he say to Rayna make sense to her. Going to explain things to her now would only hurt her and hurt him at the same time and he didn’t want that.

When Stefan heard that, he turned to look at Ethan, eyes searching his friend’s face. "But I hurt her too. Both of them. I stood there and watched Ruby break right in front of me... and I did nothing. I didn’t believe her. I didn’t even listen. Not for five minutes. Maybe if only I’d listened for at least five minutes...." he let his words trail off.

His voice trembled slightly, and he bit down on the inside of his cheek to steady it.

"Is this what it felt like for her?" he asked softly, mostly to himself. "That day at the hospital, after I got my sight and pushed her away... Is this how she felt when I refused to hear her out and stood by Ivy?"

Ethan didn’t answer right away. He just watched Stefan closely, letting the silence settle before finally responding.

"Yeah," he said gently. "I think it is."

Stefan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and burying his face in his hands. His breath came out shaky.

"I was such an idiot. I thought I was protecting myself. I thought I was being smart. Logical. She was saying something I didn’t want to believe. It was easier to listen to Ivy, to my mom... to everyone else. But deep down, a part of me knew. I knew something wasn’t adding up. And I still pushed her away. I had thought she smelled familiar and felt familiar to me but I still pushed her away thinking I was protecting my marriage. One that didn’t even happen in the first place. I should’ve known when she said those words. ’Someone else got you now’. I was a fool."

His voice cracked on the last word, and he clenched his fists, feeling the shame burn in his chest.

Ethan reached out, placing a hand on Stefan’s back, firm and steady.

"She’s angry now, Stefan. And she has every right to be. But at least now you know where she is. At least now, you can start trying."

Stefan lifted his head slowly. "What if she doesn’t want me to try?"

Ethan gave him a sad smile. "Then you respect her. But you don’t stop loving her. You have to try first with all you have. You shouldn’t just give up because she refused to listen just once."

Stefan blinked, his throat tightening all over again. "You think I still have a chance?"

"I think... if anyone can make her believe again, it’s you. You just have to do it the right way this time. No pressure. No demands. Just honesty." Ethan’s voice softened. "She doesn’t need grand gestures, man. She needs you to see her. She needs you to really see her. Now I’m not saying you can’t use grand gestures but whatever you do, just make sure it’s expressing what you actually feel inside."

Those words hit Stefan hard. Because that was exactly what he hadn’t done before. He had seen the lies, the assumptions, the rumors—but not her. Not the woman who had stood by him, cared for him, kissed him with trembling hands like he was her everything. He hadn’t seen the way her voice cracked when she said she loved him. He hadn’t seen the heartbreak in her eyes when he told her to leave.

He had missed everything. And now? She didn’t even want to hear him out.

He turned his gaze to Ethan, his voice low. "I’m sorry for dragging your relationship into this. You didn’t deserve that. Neither did Rayna."

Ethan sighed, leaning back in the seat. "We’ll figure it out. I just... I wish I’d told her the truth yesterday. But seeing the way she looked at you, I’m glad I didn’t. I’m not sure she would’ve given me her consent if I had told her so it’s fine."

"Are you sure?" Stefan asked, and Ethan looked at him for a moment as though thinking it through. .com

Then he shook his head. "I’m not so sure, man. It sucks to be having this issue just when we started vibing. I really liked her."

"I know you did," Stefan murmured, his voice heavy. "And she liked you too. That’s the worst part."

A thick silence settled between them again, one that said all the things they couldn’t.

Finally, Stefan spoke again. "Do you think she’ll forgive me someday?"

Ethan was quiet for a moment before replying. "That depends."

"On what?"

"On whether or not you show her that you’ve changed. That you’re not the guy who let her walk away twice."

Stefan swallowed hard. "I don’t want to be that guy anymore."

"Then don’t be," Ethan said simply.

Stefan looked out the windshield, watching the morning sun rise slowly over the sleepy town. A soft breeze stirred the leaves on the trees lining the sidewalk. Everything looked peaceful. Calm.

But inside him, there was a storm raging. Regret. Guilt. Hope. Fear. It all swirled together like a mess he couldn’t untangle.

But he knew one thing. He had to try. For Ruby, even if it meant starting from scratch. Even if it meant waiting and even if it meant walking through fire to prove he was no longer the man who stood by silently as she shattered.

She had loved him once. He had felt it. And maybe—just maybe—if he could prove he was worthy of that love again, she might find it in her heart to give him one more chance.

Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But someday sooner.