Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 46: Biggest Surprise

Chapter 46: Biggest Surprise

Mira and Martin exchanged the briefest glance from their places, but neither said a word. Ruby gave herself credit for keeping her cool, though her palms were damp beneath the table.

She turned to Stefan and smiled. "Next time I go, I’ll take you with me."

"To the shelter?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah," she said, nodding. "You might not be able to see the place, but I think you’d like meeting some of the people there. You could talk to them. Maybe even do something special for the kids."

Stefan gave a soft laugh. "So now you’re pulling me into your new project too?"

"I told you," Ruby teased. "You married the better version of me."

He smiled at that, a slow, genuine smile that made her chest ache again.

Martin quietly stepped forward to offer another slice of meat, and Mira was already clearing some of the empty plates. The staff worked quietly, but Ruby felt their presence like a spotlight.

She couldn’t help but wonder if Mira still suspected something... or if Martin had told Stefan more than he let on. But Stefan didn’t seem tense. He wasn’t analyzing her, wasn’t watching for cracks in her story. He just looked like a man who believed every word she said.

I have to be careful, Ruby thought. One slip, and everything will fall apart.

Yet even now, she felt a small pang of guilt.

He said he was proud of me, she whispered inwardly. And I lied right to his face.

But there was no other choice. Not yet.

As the dinner wound down and the plates were cleared, Ruby rose and helped guide Stefan out of the dining room. His fingers brushed hers lightly, and he smiled again.

"I like this side of you," he said softly. "The thoughtful, giving one."

Ruby laughed lightly. "So you’re saying I wasn’t thoughtful before?"

"You were but nothing compared to now." he replied. "I love every bit of you now, babe."

Her heart skipped again.

If only you knew who I really am, she thought. Would you still think the change is good or that you love me? Or would you hate me for lying to you every single day?

But she didn’t say any of that aloud.

Instead, she leaned into his side just a little and whispered, "If changing made you fall even harder then I’ll keep changing for the better so you fall until you can’t stand no more," she teased and Stefan laughed.

"I don’t mind being lame in love, baby. As long as you’re here and it’s with you."

And together, they walked down the hall—Stefan with hope in his heart, and Ruby with the growing weight of a truth she wasn’t ready to tell.

The next morning, Ruby woke to the soft sound of Stefan’s voice calling her name.

She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she turned toward him. He was already dressed in a light shirt and jeans, his hair still a little messy but somehow even more charming that way.

"Good morning," she mumbled, smiling as she stretched.

"Morning, babe," he said, moving closer to the bed. "Get dressed. I’m taking you somewhere."

Ruby blinked at him, confused but curious. "Is that why you’re dressed so early? Where are we going?"

"You’ll see," he said, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

She frowned playfully. "Stefan Winters, you know I hate surprises."

He chuckled. "You do? I thought you loved them? Fine, you’ll love this one. Trust me." fre(e)webnove.l.c.om

Ruby huffed but slid out of bed, pulling on a casual dress and running a brush through her hair. She couldn’t help the little flutter of excitement building inside her. Stefan had never asked her to go anywhere with him like this before. It felt... special.

When they were ready, they made their way downstairs. The driver was already waiting by the car. Martin was there too, standing by Stefan’s side, ready to assist him.

Ruby watched Martin help Stefan into the car with practiced ease. She followed and got in beside Stefan, her curiosity growing bigger with each passing second seeing as Martin was with them. fr\eewebno vel .c(o)m

The drive wasn’t long, but it felt like forever because Stefan wouldn’t give her any hint.

"Are we going somewhere crowded?" she guessed.

"Nope," Stefan said, smiling.

"Is it a restaurant?" she asked again.

He laughed. "How about you stop asking for hints, baby? You’ll know when we get there."

Ruby leaned back against the seat with a soft groan. "You’re enjoying this way too much."

"I am," Stefan admitted without shame and she shook her head in amusement.

When the car finally pulled to a stop, Ruby quickly got out, holding Stefan’s hand as Martin guided him carefully. She looked around and realized they were at a tall building. The driver pointed them toward a private elevator. Martin pressed the button, and up they went.

Ruby’s heart pounded with excitement.

When they reached the rooftop, the doors opened to reveal a wide, open space. The view was breathtaking. She could see the whole city of Zeden—the tall buildings, the bustling streets, even the faraway hills. The sky stretched out above them, painted in soft blues and whites.

She turned to Stefan in awe. "Stefan... it’s beautiful."

A soft smile touched his lips. "I’m glad you think so. This used to be my favorite place," he said quietly. "Whenever things got too much... I’d come up here. Just to see the world laid out in front of me. It reminded me that there’s so much more than whatever problem I had."

Ruby’s heart ached hearing that. She looked at him, at the way he stood there, blind now, yet still so strong.

"You can still feel it," she said gently. "The wind, the openness... it’s still yours."

He reached for her then, his fingers lightly brushing against her cheek. His touch was feather-light, as if memorizing her features all over again.

"I wish I could see you right now," Stefan whispered, his voice rough with emotion.

Ruby’s throat tightened. She leaned into his hand. "I wish you could too. So we can watch this beautiful scene together."

He gave a soft, broken laugh. "Sometimes what keeps me sane is knowing that I saw you before all this happened. If I hadn’t..." He shook his head. "I think I would’ve lost my mind by now, just imagining how beautiful you look."

Ruby felt tears prick her eyes. She laughed a little to cover the sudden rush of feelings. "You’re crazy," she teased.

"I’d be crazier without you," he said, smiling.

Without thinking, she stood on her toes and pressed a kiss against his lips. It was supposed to be light, sweet. But somewhere between the press of their lips and the way his arms wrapped gently around her waist, something inside her cracked open.

"I love you," she whispered against his mouth, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

She froze, immediately. Her heart hammered painfully in her chest.

What did I just do? What did I just say? She thought, panicking.

But Stefan only tightened his arms around her, pulling her closer.

"I love you too, babe," he said warmly.

Ruby’s eyes fluttered shut. The moment felt like a dream—beautiful but terrifying.

It wasn’t just a feeling anymore. She had said it. She had confessed.

And now, she could never take it back.

As Stefan rested his forehead against hers, Ruby held onto him tightly, trying to chase away the fear whispering in her mind.

You’re not lying about everything, she told herself. Your love for him is real.

But even as she hugged him close, she knew a part of her would never stop being afraid of the day he found out the truth.

For now, though, she stayed there in his arms, letting herself believe—for just a little while longer—that they could have this.

That maybe, just maybe, their love could survive even the biggest lie.

They stayed like that for a long moment—just holding each other on the rooftop, the wind brushing past them softly, the world feeling so far away it almost didn’t exist.

Finally, Stefan pulled back just a little, his hands still resting lightly on her waist. "Thank you for coming with me," he said, his voice low and sincere.

Ruby smiled, even though her chest still ached from the weight of her earlier confession. "Thank you for bringing me," she said.

He tilted his head slightly. "You know," he said thoughtfully, "even if I can’t see it, I can feel when you’re smiling."

Ruby laughed softly, brushing a hand along his jaw. "Is that so?"

"Yeah," he said. "It’s like the air around you changes."

Her heart melted at that. How does he always know the right thing to say? she wondered.

A comfortable silence settled between them. Ruby looked out over the city again, feeling Stefan’s steady presence at her side. For once, she allowed herself to believe that maybe everything would be okay. Maybe he would forgive her someday when the truth finally came out.

But a small, guilty voice inside her whispered that she didn’t deserve how much he loved her.

"I wish we could stay like this forever," Ruby said quietly.

"So do I," Stefan replied, his voice matching her soft tone. He slipped his fingers between hers, holding her hand tightly. "But since we can’t, we’ll make every moment count."

Ruby smiled, blinking back the sting in her eyes. "Then let’s promise something."

He turned his head slightly, listening. "What?"

"No matter what happens," she said, squeezing his hand, "we stay by each other’s side."

There was a brief pause. Then Stefan squeezed back, firm and sure. "I promise."

Ruby closed her eyes, letting the promise settle deep in her heart. It wasn’t a guarantee against the pain she knew was coming—but it was enough for now.

Behind them, Martin cleared his throat gently.

"Sir, Madam," he said politely. "The driver is ready whenever you are."

Ruby glanced at Stefan, who smiled. "Guess it’s time to go back," he said.

She nodded, even though part of her wished they could stay up here forever, hidden away from the real world where secrets had weight and consequences.

Ruby helped Stefan as they made their way back to the elevator. As they descended, Stefan leaned closer and whispered, "Next time, I’ll plan an even bigger surprise."

Ruby laughed lightly, leaning her head against his shoulder. "I’m already looking forward to it."

But deep down, as she felt the elevator carry them back down to reality, Ruby knew that no matter how many surprises Stefan planned, she still had the biggest one ever and that was the truth she hadn’t told him yet.

And when it finally came out, everything between them might change forever.