Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 47: Who Was He?

Chapter 47: Who Was He?

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." fre eweb\(n)ovel(.)co(m)

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, the biggest one was still the truth she hadn’t told him yet.

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

While Ruby was thinking about that, Stefan was wondering how he was going to tell her that his sight returns in form of flashes most times? And that it was one of the reasons he actually stopped suspecting her?

His eyesight had returned just for a second and he’d seen that it was his Ivy, hence he’d stopped worrying and just accepting that she was his person—just an upgraded version.

What was she going to say when she learned the truth? He would’ve loved to tell her but more than that, he didn’t want her to change back to the Ivy he knew before. No, he loved this her more and he wanted this her around more.

"Let’s go," Ruby said, breaking into his thoughts.

"Sure," he said, flashing her a smile as he tried not to think about what his doctor had told him when he called.

Stefan let Ruby lead him this time while Martin walked behind them and once they got to the car and were comfortably seated, Martin drove off.

When they got home, the house felt warmer somehow, almost like it had absorbed the leftover magic from the rooftop. Ruby helped Stefan out of the car, her hand gently wrapped around his arm, and together they walked inside.

The maids and Martin quietly stepped aside, sensing their peaceful mood.

Once they got into the living room, Stefan let out a slow breath and sank onto the sofa.

"I had fun," Ruby said, and Stefan smiled.

"I’m glad you did," he said and then his smile slowly dissipated as a thought crossed his mind.

Tomorrow was Monday and that meant work day where he’d have to deal with Mr Ashford and his uncle.

Ruby sat beside him, watching as a small frown crept across his face. His hand rubbed slowly at his jaw, a sign he was deep in thought.

What could he be thinking about so seriously? She mused.

"What’s wrong?" she asked softly, tilting her head to study him.

He hesitated. Then, with a sigh, he said, "Nothing serious. Just thinking about Mr. Ashford and—"

Ruby’s heart twisted a little. She hated seeing him like this—tied down by things that should’ve been easy but were now ten times harder because of what he was going through.

She leaned forward, lightly tapping his knee as she cut him off. "Hey," she said brightly. "You’re not allowed to be serious right now. It’s against the rules. It’s our time now."

He gave a small chuckle. "Oh really? And who made these rules? Cause I can’t remember making them." freew\ebno\vel..(c)om

"Well, I did," Ruby said with a grin. "And if you break them, there’s a punishment."

Stefan raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "And what would that be? What punishment could you possibly give to me?" He asked, shaking his head in amusement.

"Uhm.... a dance! Yes, a dance," she declared, standing up and holding out her hand. "Right here. Right now."

Stefan laughed, shaking his head slowly. "Ruby, you do realize... I can’t see a single thing, right?"

"That’s the fun part," she teased. "You have to trust me. Completely."

He paused, pretending to think deeply, then grinned. "Fine. But if I step on your toes, it’s not my fault," he said and Ruby smiled looking at how lively he was suddenly.

"I’ll take the risk," she said, tugging him gently to his feet.

Ruby led him into an open space near the living room where there was enough room to move. She then turned on the music before going back to carefully placed his hands on her waist and guided his steps slowly.

"See? Easy," she whispered, her chin almost hurting from smiling too much.

Stefan chuckled again, but there was a slight nervousness in his touch at first. Ruby moved slowly, swaying them to the rhythm of the song "perfect" playing in the background. fr\(e)ew(e)b.(n)o (v)(e)l.com

She hummed the tune, sweet and slow.

"You’re doing great," she said, smiling up at him even though he couldn’t see it.

He smiled too, a little uncertain at first, but then his body relaxed against hers.

Stefan listened to her and he couldn’t deny that indeed he’d found a woman, who’s perfect in everyway just for him.

They moved together, slow and steady. Ruby realized that even without sight, Stefan still led with a kind of quiet strength. He trusted her — every step, every turn, he trusted her completely.

And the trust broke something inside her — in a good way. She leaned her head against his chest, hearing the steady beat of his heart.

"This feels nice," Stefan said quietly, his voice close to her ear.

"It does," Ruby agreed, her eyes fluttering closed.

For a few minutes, they just danced. No worries, no lies, no secrets. Just the two of them swaying together in the soft hush of their home.

Then suddenly a knock sounded on the door.

Ruby jumped a little. Stefan turned his head toward the sound.

"Sir," Martin’s voice came from behind the door, polite but firm. "You have a visitor waiting in the drawing room."

Ruby pulled back, breathless, looking up at Stefan.

"A visitor? Are you expecting someone?" she asked and Stefan shook his head.

Stefan frowned slightly, clearly not expecting anyone. "Who is it?"

"I think you should come and see for yourself, sir," Martin said.

Ruby felt Stefan’s fingers tighten slightly on her waist before he dropped his hands and straightened up.

"Alright," he said, his voice calm even though Ruby could feel the change in the air. "Tell him I’ll be out," he said, thinking it was his uncle since he was the only one that always showed up that way.

"Yes, sir," Martin said before walking away.

Ruby looked at Stefan, searching his face. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly.

He gave a tight smile. "I guess we’ll find out."

She reached out and squeezed his hand. "Whatever it is, you’re not facing it alone, remember?"

He turned his head toward her, his unseeing eyes somehow still so full of emotion. "I know," he whispered. "Thank you, babe."

Ruby smiled, but inside her stomach twisted with nerves. She hoped that the visitor they’re stepping out to meet wouldn’t bring any problems to them.

Stefan carefully made his way to the drawing room, Ruby walked just behind him, ready to catch him if he needed her to.

Immediately they stepped in, a familiar voice broke the quiet.

"Well, well, look who’s still handsome as ever," the man joked warmly, making Stefan’s fast beating heart to increase it’s pace but not in horror but from excitement.

Ruby watched as a tall, broad-shouldered guy with messy brown hair and an easy grin stepped forward. His whole face lit up when he spoke, the kind of guy who could charm a room without trying.

Who was he? She asked herself. Perhaps, this was one of the times she had to be more than alert so she wouldn’t slip.