Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 48: Stefan’s Best Friend

Chapter 48: Stefan’s Best Friend

"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. free we\bnove(l).com

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

"Ethan," Stefan said, smiling, his whole body relaxing at the sound. "You finally decided to show up after like forever? Since when have you even been in town?"

"Traffic and life, you know how it is," Ethan said, clapping Stefan’s shoulder. "Missed you, man."

"Missed you too," Stefan replied, his voice full of genuine affection.

Though Ethan had said he’d be in town two days later after they spoke, Stefan had assumed he wasn’t coming when Ethan didn’t show up.

Ruby hovered awkwardly for a second, not wanting to intrude, especially since she didn’t exactly know but Ethan noticed her and turned toward her with a bright smile.

"And you," he said, looking her over with surprise. "Ivy."

Ruby smiled warmly, stepping forward and offering her hand. "Hi, Ethan. Welcome back."

Ethan blinked at her for a moment before recovering and shaking her hand. His grip was firm, but Ruby could feel the hesitation—the confusion.

Why was he confused as though she was doing out of the ordinary? Was he perhaps one of Ivy’s enemies? Or was a handshake not how Ivy used to greet him?

Judging from how he was talking to Stefan, she was hundred per cent sure he was Stefan’s best friend so was he looking so confused recieving a warm welcome from her? She mused, trying not to let her face show the various thoughts spinning in her head.

"You’re... different," he said slowly, laughing a little to cover his shock. "In a good way."

"And how do you mean different? We’ve met for ten minutes since and you think I’m different," she said, hoping he could explain more so she could know the situation of things between him and Ivy.

"Well, you wouldn’t blame me, would you? You’re smiling and looking all welcoming when we both know we’ve never saw eye to eye. You don’t use to like me, Ivy," Ethan said with a shrug, making Ruby almost blurt out "crap, another slip" but did all she could to stop herself as she instead thought of something to say to cover up.

Ruby smiled sweetly when a thought crossed her mind. "I hope you do know change is constant, Ethan. I couldn’t continue being that childish me because I figured, you know, that no one knows what tomorrow will bring. So it’s better to be on good terms with everyone. Don’t you also think so, Ethan?"

Ethan let out a short laugh, still looking at her like he was trying to solve a puzzle. "Right! You’re definitely right," he said with a nod. "Just... wasn’t expecting it. Last time I saw you, you barely spoke two words to me without a glare attached."

Ruby chuckled lightly. "Yeah, that’s why I said I grew up a little," she said and then winked at him, making Ethan laugh while also telling himself that he could understand why Stefan had been worried.

Stefan smiled at her voice, sensing her mood even without seeing her face. "She’s been amazing," he said proudly, reaching out and finding her hand easily. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.

Ruby squeezed back, her chest tightening in that now-familiar way.

Ethan’s eyes softened as he watched them. "Well, I’m glad. Really glad."

There was a little pause, and Ruby took it as her cue. She gently pulled her hand away and smiled at them both. f r\eew,eb novel.c(o)(m)

"I’ll leave you guys to catch up," she said. "It was really nice seeing you again, Ethan."

"You too," he said warmly, still watching her with that slight confusion, like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Ruby smiled once more before quietly making her way back upstairs, giving them their space.

As her footsteps faded away, Ethan turned back to Stefan, shaking his head.

"Man," he said under his breath. "When you said she changed, I thought you meant she stopped slamming doors and giving me death stares. But this?" He laughed lowly. "This is like... a whole different person. Softer. Sweeter. Even happier and livelier."

Stefan leaned back a little on the couch, his expression peaceful. "Yeah. It’s been... incredible to watch."

Ethan whistled under his breath. "She even smiled at me, bro. Smiled. Not faked it, not forced it. A real one. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say someone swapped her out for a clone."

Stefan laughed, deep and genuine. "Maybe she just finally realized what she really wants," he said. "Or maybe we both did."

Ethan’s smile faded slightly, replaced by something softer. He clapped Stefan’s shoulder again.

"Whatever it is, man," he said sincerely, "I’m happy for you. And her. You both deserve a shot at being this happy."

Stefan nodded slowly, feeling the truth of those words settle deep in his chest.

For the first time in a long time, he really believed it.

"So, have you told her?" Ethan asked after sometime time but Stefan just shook his head.

"I can’t, man. I really don’t want her to change back into that person she was before now. Besides, the doctor said it isn’t a guarantee that it’ll come back fully anytime so why should I risk it?" he asked with a sigh.

Ethan shook his head, his expression serious. "I really don’t understand something though. If you thought she wasn’t such a good person why did you go ahead to marry her? I mean, you could’ve broken up ’cause what if she never changed?" Ethan asked and Stefan smiled fondly.

"You want to hear the honest truth? I didn’t really care or should I say I never thought I actually wanted this side of her. I just got used to that kind of love and just thought it was the best I could ever get. Never knew there could be more. After experiencing this side of her, I’m honestly not looking forward to seeing the other side of her," he said and Ethan smiled.

"I totally understand. But I still think you should—"

"There are no buts, please. Let’s talk about something else. Why don’t you tell me what you’ve been up to?" Stefan said, wanting to change the subject.

Though Ethan knew that was what Stefan was doing, he let him, deciding to tell Stefan about the girl he met at the club two nights ago.

Upstairs, Ruby leaned against the wall just outside the bedroom, her heart thudding in her chest. She hadn’t meant to listen in — not really — but the quiet house carried every word.

Hearing Ethan talk about her that way... it was bittersweet.

If only they knew the real reason she was so different. If only Stefan knew who she really was.

Her throat tightened painfully. She pressed a hand against her chest as if she could physically hold the guilt down.

But even through the guilt, a small, stubborn hope bloomed inside her.

Maybe she could make this right someday. Maybe when the truth finally came out, Stefan would still look at her the way he did now.

With trust. With pride. With love and that he’d be glad Ivy left, making both their paths cross.

Her fingers brushed lightly over her lips, remembering the rooftop kiss.

She had told him she loved him. She couldn’t take it back now. And somehow, she didn’t want to. She just wanted to be worthy of those words.

She wanted to be the woman he thought she was — not the fraud she felt like sometimes.

Drawing a deep breath, Ruby pushed off the wall and walked into the bedroom, her mind made up.

One day soon... she would tell him everything.

But for tonight, she would let herself hold on a little longer to the dream. The dream where Stefan loved her person.