Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 50: Want To Help

Chapter 50: Want To Help

Ruby drew in a deep breath, wiped the remaining tears from her face, and stood up. Tomorrow was a new day.

And no matter how heavy the world felt tonight, she would face it. For Rayna. For herself. For the life she was trying to build. fre.eweb novel\.c om

One step at a time. One fight at a time.

And maybe, just maybe, love would be enough to carry them through.

She sat there for a moment, her hands resting in her lap, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her shoulders. It was hard — carrying her own secrets while worrying about Rayna and trying to be the version of herself that Stefan deserved.

She was too absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t hear Stefan approach. But suddenly, she felt a soft touch on her arm, and when she looked up, Stefan was standing there, his expression gentle, head tilted slightly like he was listening to more than just the sound of her breathing.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his voice low and filled with concern.

Ruby forced a smile, though she knew he couldn’t see it. Somehow, though, she had the feeling he could still sense it — or maybe sense how fragile it was.

"I’m fine," she said quickly, then shook her head with a small, bitter laugh. "Actually... no. Not really."

Stefan sat down beside her without hesitation, his hand finding hers easily, instinctively. His fingers curled around hers, warm and steady, anchoring her when everything inside her felt like it might crumble. f(r)eew(e)bnovel.(c)o(m)

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked. "I’m here. You know that, right?"

Ruby squeezed his hand back, grateful for his presence more than she could ever put into words.

"It’s just... a friend," she said after a moment, her voice soft. "That friend I told you I met not too long ago. She’s going through a really rough time. Apparently, that was the reason she had to return earlier than planned."

Stefan nodded slightly, waiting patiently, giving her space to say as much or as little as she needed.

"I wish I could help her," Ruby continued, her voice cracking just a little. "She’s fighting so hard, but... it feels like everything’s stacked against her. And I’m here, living this — this beautiful life I don’t even deserve — while she’s drowning."

Stefan’s brow furrowed. He couldn’t see the pain etched across Ruby’s face, but he could hear it — feel it — like it was stitched into the very air between them. But then, why would she ever think she didn’t deserve this life with him?

"You do deserve it," he said firmly. "Whatever is happening with your friend... it doesn’t change the fact that you deserve to be happy too, Ivy."

Hearing him call her that name twisted something deep inside Ruby. It was a reminder of the lie she was living — and yet, it was also a comfort. Because Stefan cared. Maybe not for Ruby as herself, not yet... but the way he cared was real.

She leaned her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes and letting herself breathe him in — the quiet strength, the steady heartbeat, the unspoken promise that she wasn’t alone.

"I just hate feeling helpless," she whispered. "I hate knowing I can’t fix it for her."

"Sometimes," Stefan said quietly, "the best thing we can do is just be there. Let them know they’re not fighting alone."

Ruby nodded against his shoulder, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"You’re a good friend," he added, turning his head slightly toward her. "She’s lucky to have you in her corner."

Ruby let out a shaky breath, feeling the tight knot in her chest ease just a little.

"Thank you," she murmured. "I needed to hear that."

They sat in silence for a while, the kind of silence that didn’t feel empty or awkward, but full — full of shared understanding and quiet comfort.

Eventually, Stefan shifted a little, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"You know," he said lightly, "if you ever need cheering up... I still owe you that dance. The one Ethan interrupted," he said with a wink. f|re(e)web.n\ovel. (c)o.m

Ruby let out a genuine laugh, the sound surprising her with its brightness.

"I thought we agreed we’d need a lot of furniture moving first," she teased, glancing around the spacious but still cluttered bedroom.

Stefan chuckled. "Who needs furniture? We’ve got imagination."

Ruby shook her head, smiling so wide it made her cheeks ache.

"You," she said, poking his arm gently, "are absolutely ridiculous."

"And you," he replied, "sound like you’re smiling again."

She laughed again, softer this time. "I am."

He stood, holding out his hand toward her. "Come on, Ivy. Dance with me."

Ruby hesitated for only a moment before placing her hand in his. His grip was sure, gentle but firm, and he pulled her to her feet easily.

There was no music — just the soft hum of the night outside, the faint creak of the house settling — but somehow, it didn’t matter.

Stefan found her waist with surprising accuracy, his other hand sliding up to rest lightly at her shoulder.

"Tell me if I step on your toes," he said with a grin.

"I’ll scream," Ruby promised, laughing.

They moved together slowly, a makeshift waltz in the middle of the bedroom, careful and clumsy and absolutely perfect. Ruby guided them gently, letting Stefan take the lead as much as he could, her hands steadying him when he faltered.

He couldn’t see her smiling, but she smiled anyway, feeling lighter with every awkward step they took.

And somewhere in the middle of their dance — somewhere between the laughter and the stumbles — Ruby realized she wasn’t thinking about lies or fears or regrets.

She was just... happy. Even if it was only for a little while, she was happy.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

"Now that you’re fine, how about you tell me a little about what’s going on with your friend and I’ll see what I can do?" Stefan asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

Ruby shook her head. "You don’t have to do anything—"

"I know. Trust me, I know but I still want to help," he said and Ruby looked at him for a moment, thinking and wondering if it was a good idea to do that.

After contemplating, she decided it was probably best she told him. Maybe he could help in a way or two. She told herself as she went on to tell him about the lawsuit.