Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 71: Don’t Deserve You

Chapter 71: Don’t Deserve You

Rayna’s heart beat in rhythm with the windshield wipers as she pulled into the crowded airport drop-off zone. The air outside was crisp and cool, the kind of morning chill that clung to your skin like dew.

She turned off the ignition and scanned the arrivals area, her gaze bouncing over businessmen, families, and solo travelers. Her fingers tapped anxiously on the steering wheel until she spotted her.

Ruby.

She was standing alone, her small suitcase beside her, both hands cradling her flat belly protectively. Her hair was slightly messy from the flight, and her face looked pale and tired, but to Rayna, she was a sight for sore eyes. Relief washed over her like a tidal wave.

Rayna practically leapt from the car and ran toward her.

"Rubes!" she called out.

Ruby turned, and the moment their eyes met, her expression crumbled. She let out a shaky breath and hurried into Rayna’s arms.

Rayna wrapped her up tightly, careful not to press too hard against her since she knew Ruby was very tired. But even though she was being careful, she didn’t hold back either. "You’re here," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You’re really here." free we\bnove(l).com

"I am here," Ruby murmured into her shoulder. "Thank you for letting me come. If not, I would’ve stayed. I really don’t want to be alone."

"You’ll never be alone, Rubes," Rayna promised, pulling back just enough to cup her best friend’s face. "Not as long as I’m breathing. Let’s get you home, yeah?"

Ruby nodded wordlessly, wiping at her eyes as Rayna picked up her suitcase and guided her toward the car.

Once they were in and buckled, Rayna reached into the bag on the passenger seat and handed Ruby a small juice box and the crackers.

"I figured you wouldn’t eat anything on the plane," she said, her concern evident in her voice.

Ruby let out a soft laugh, the first genuine sound of comfort Rayna had heard from her since after the call. "You know me too well."

Rayna started the engine, pulling away from the airport and merging onto the highway. For a while, the only sounds were the hum of the car and the crinkling of the cracker packet as Ruby nibbled on one slowly.

"Are you okay?" Rayna asked finally.

Ruby leaned her head against the window. "I don’t even know what okay means anymore, Ray."

Rayna’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. Her mind kept flashing back to their phone call just yesterday before she asked Ruby to come—Ruby’s broken voice describing everything: how her mother, Ivy, Elizabeth, and even Stefan had all played a part in manipulating her life.

Her own mother had watched her grieve, watched her suffer, and said nothing. And Stefan—God—he’d married her without even knowing it was her but after living with her for six months couldn’t even identify her.

"They betrayed you," Rayna said quietly. "All of them. I don’t care what excuse they have, it’s unforgivable, Rubes."

Ruby closed her eyes. "I was in that house every single day for six months, pretending to be Ivy. I cooked, I cared for him, I protected him—and none of them thought I deserved to be with him? To think my mom was even the one that told Ivy about Stefan regaining his sight! I’ll never be enough for her and she’d always love Ivy more than me. What did I ever do to her?" Ruby said, trying not to cry since she knew it wouldn’t be good for her baby.

Rayna swallowed the lump in her throat. "They don’t deserve you, Ruby."

"Sometimes..." Ruby’s voice broke. "Sometimes I wonder if maybe I did this to myself. Maybe if I had just left that day... if I hadn’t listened to Mom... or maybe if I had told him earlier——"

"Don’t," Rayna said sharply. "Don’t blame yourself for loving people who didn’t love you enough in return. You did what you thought was right. You were trying to protect everyone but yourself. You didn’t want to tell him then because you knew he needed you and might not consider that if he were to get upset."

Ruby turned her face away, but not before Rayna saw the tears slipping down her cheek.

Rayna reached over and squeezed her hand. "You’ve got me now. Just me. No lies. No masks. No Ivy. No Elizabeth. Just us. Like it’s always been."

They drove in silence after that, the kind that felt full—not awkward or heavy, but safe. Rayna’s little cottage came into view minutes later, nestled among tall trees with a wooden fence and wind chimes dancing by the porch. It wasn’t grand, but it was peaceful. A place to heal.

Rayna parked and came around to help Ruby out. Once inside, she led her straight to the guest room.

Ruby’s shoulders slumped with exhaustion as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Thank you, Ray."

Rayna knelt in front of her. "You don’t have to thank me. This is your home for as long as you need. If you want to stay hidden, I’ll help you. If you want to scream, I’ll scream with you. And if you want to burn every single bridge behind you, I’ll bring the matches."

That earned a watery laugh from Ruby. "You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me."

Rayna smiled softly. "Don’t you forget it."

She stood and pulled the blanket over Ruby’s legs. "Rest now. We’ll figure everything else out after you’re fully rested, okay?"

Ruby leaned back against the pillows, her eyes fluttering shut almost immediately. Her breathing evened out, but her fingers still curled protectively around her belly as if guarding the life within her was the only certainty she had left.

Rayna watched her for a moment longer before quietly stepping out and closing the door.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she took it out to see what the notification was for. A smile curled on her lips when she saw it was a text from Ethan.

[Glad I got your number. Hope your "someone" is okay.]

Rayna exhaled and tucked the phone away. There’d be time for that later. Right now, Ruby needed her. And she’d be damned if she let anyone hurt her again.