Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 51: His Best Friend Helped?

Chapter 51: His Best Friend Helped?

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.

The following day, the morning sunlight filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the bedroom. f(r)eew(e)bnovel.(c)o(m)

Stefan sat at the edge of the bed, phone in hand, his expression unreadable as he listened to the dial tone. The room was quiet, except for the faint rustle of sheets and the distant hum of traffic outside.

He waited, glancing briefly in the direction of the bathroom where he knew Ruby—Ivy—was getting ready.

After hearing all what Ruby had to say about Rayna’s case, he had decided that he’d help out the way he could.

He stared at his phone as he waited for Ethan to pick up. Soon, the line clicked. "Morning, man," Ethan’s voice came through, slightly groggy. "Everything alright? Why are you calling me so early in the morning?"

"Sorry I disturbed your sleep. It’s just that I need a favor," Stefan said, straight to the point.

Ethan cleared his throat, the sound of movement in the background indicating he was sitting up. "A favour? Alright, shoot. What is it? That you have to call me so early," Ethan asked, wondering exactly what it was that Stefan wanted to say this early that he couldn’t tell him when they met the previous day.

"There’s someone I want you to help," Stefan said and Ethan frowned.

"And who is this person? Most be important to you," Ethan observed.

"Not to me. But to Ivy. Ivy’s friend is in trouble and needs serious help."

Ethan gave a low chuckle. "What kind of trouble is Eliana in this time that the almighty Eliana couldn’t claw her way out of herself?"

Stefan’s lips quirked slightly. "Sorry to burst your bubble. But it’s not Eli."

There was a brief pause. "No? Then who?"

"A friend of Ivy’s. I can’t even recall her name but she’s a blogger," Stefan explained, rubbing his temple. "Apparently, her worker posted something based on an unverified source, and now the person she wrote about flied a case and isn’t going easy on her at all. They’re pushing to take it to court."

"Defamation?" Ethan asked, now fully alert. "Is the claim solid?"

"Seems to be. But I want you to talk to the other party’s lawyer. See if there’s any chance of settling this quietly, and out of court."

Ethan was silent for a few moments. "Alright, I’ll look into it. What’s the blogger’s name?"

"I don’t exactly remember," Stefan replied. "but I’ll ask Ivy and then I’ll send you the details."

Ethan let out a short exhale. "Okay, I’ll see what I can do. But I gotta ask—why the sudden interest in your wife’s friend? It’s so unlike you to get involved."

Stefan’s fingers tightened slightly around the phone. "I know. But she’s really troubled and I want her to be happy. I have to help to keep her happy and without worries," he said simply. .com

At that exact moment, just inside the bathroom, Ruby who was about to open the door stood frozen.

Her hand hovered over the door handle, her breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, not really—she was just about to enter the room when she heard Stefan’s voice. And now, his words hung in the air like a vice gripping her chest.

Because I want her to be happy.

Her heart clenched painfully. He was doing all this... for her? Because of how worried she had been the previous night?

She pressed a palm over her chest, as if that could quiet the guilt storming inside her. Her knees felt weak. It was getting harder and harder to pretend—to lie. Stefan was good to her. Better than she had ever expected. Better than Ivy ever deserved.

You’re no better, a voice whispered in her mind. You’re deceiving him too. You’re standing in Ivy’s shoes, reaping love that isn’t yours. You’re pretending to be a woman who walked away, and you’re falling for him while you’re at it.

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away. This wasn’t about her feelings. This was about doing the right thing. She took a deep breath, forced her legs to move, and opened the door.

Stefan looked up at the sound. His expression softened as he turned his face toward her. "Hey... You’re out."

Ruby stepped inside, her hand still trembling slightly as she closed the door behind her. "Yeah," she murmured.

He tilted his head. "You alright? You sound off."

She walked toward him, the guilt multiplying with each step. Just tell him, her conscience urged. End it now. Be brave. Tell him everything and give what you both have a chance to bloom into something beautiful.

She stopped in front of him, her gaze flicking to his face—the face of a man who couldn’t even see the betrayal written all over hers.

"I..." she started, her voice catching in her throat. Her fingers curled at her sides. "Stefan, I need to tell you something."

He raised an eyebrow. "Okay?"

Her lips parted. Her heart pounded against her ribs. Her entire chest ached with the weight of the secret. Do it now. Tell him before you lose the chance.

"I..." she tried again, then faltered. Her throat tightened.

He waited patiently, his eyes searching even if they couldn’t see. There was a vulnerability in his stillness, a quiet kind of trust that only made her feel more like a thief in the night.

Ruby swallowed hard and looked away. "I just... wanted to say thank you. For deciding to help Rayna."

He gave a small smile. "She’s important to you. That’s all the reason I need."

Her heart twisted. She didn’t deserve this. Not his kindness, not his trust... not him.

She forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Let’s go down for breakfast. We need to leave for the company soon."

Stefan nodded, sensing the tension in her voice but choosing not to press. "Lead the way. Here, you’d text Ethan the details of your friend’s blog," he said and Ruby nodded as she took his phone to do just that.

They descended the stairs together, Stefan’s hand loosely resting on her arm for guidance. Ruby remained quiet, her mind a battlefield of waring emotions.

He trusted her.

And she was betraying him with every passing day.

Every second she spent in Ivy’s place.

Every moment she smiled at him like she belonged. She wasn’t just caught in a lie—she was the lie.

And yet, as they sat at the breakfast table, with Stefan calmly sipping his tea and asking her about the day ahead, Ruby couldn’t bring herself to ruin the fragile peace they had built. \n(o)v.e\l.com

Not yet. Not this morning. Not when she wasn’t sure if he’d ever look at her the same again.

She glanced at him, guilt pooling in her stomach like lead. She couldn’t tell him now but she knew she needed to.

Soon, she told herself. You’ll tell him soon and then this guilt would stop gnawing at her and she’d be finally free.

She told herself, but deep down, she knew. She knew that there might never be a perfect time.