Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 146: Your Business

The space between them narrowed. For a moment, Ruby hesitated, her breath catching, her heart pounding in her chest. Then slowly, Stefan cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing her skin gently.

"I want this to work," he whispered.

Ruby nodded. "Me too."

His lips brushed against hers softly—tentative, careful, full of meaning. She let her eyes fall closed, her hands sliding up to his shoulders as the kiss deepened, sweet and lingering. There was no rush, no desperation—just tenderness, connection, and warmth.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless.

Stefan rested his forehead against hers, smiling. "Well, that was..."

"Long overdue," Ruby finished for him, laughing softly. She wouldn’t admit it to him but she missed kissing him more than anything.

They spent the next couple of hours nestled close together, talking quietly about everything and nothing—hopes, dreams, little things they’d never thought to share before. Each word, each smile, each soft glance made something inside Ruby settle, as though she was finally exactly where she was meant to be.

"I think I’ll take a nap since we still have such a long time ahead," Ruby said and Stefan narrowed his eyes.

"Why don’t you go to the bedroom? You’ll be more comfortable there..."

"Don’t worry. I’ll be okay here. It’s just a nap so I don’t mind," she said and even though Stefan wanted to argue, he nodded, deciding to let her have her way.

Moments later, the sky outside the jet windows was a canvas of soft pinks and oranges as the sun began to dip beyond the clouds.

Ruby stretched slightly in her seat, as her eyes slowly fluttered open. Stefan, sitting beside her, was flipping through a tablet when he set it aside and turned to her, his expression softened when he saw she was awake now.

"You’re awake. I’m sorry we’re still not there yet. Sixteen hours is a long flight," he murmured, his voice low and gentle.

"It’s fine. I’m not complaining," she said flashing him a smile. Her smile widened when Stefan handed her a bowl of fruits which he’d carefully sliced when she was sleeping.

"Thank you," she said and Stefan nodded.

"So, tell me... how did you manage to survive on your own all this while? I mean, everything you went through... you were so far from home."

Ruby’s eyes shifted toward the window, her reflection faint in the glass. A small smile tugged at her lips. "It wasn’t easy," she admitted quietly. "But I think what helped was staying busy. I wanted to get a space—maybe rent a little place—and start something for myself. I was thinking of going into event planning and maybe interior and exterior décor too. Something small at first. Rayna had even volunteered to help out. We were going space hunting when you came the first time," she said and he nodded.

"Rayna was really a nice friend I see," he commented and Ruby smiled fondly.

"She really is. I think it’s safe to say she loves me more than my mom or Ivy ever would," she said and though Stefan wanted to ask the story behind that, he decided it wasn’t time yet so instead he decided to focus his curiosity on something else.

Stefan’s brow lifted slightly, curiosity filling his eyes. "So, event planning and décor?" he echoed. "Was that to pass time... or because you really loved doing it?"

Ruby gave a soft laugh, her gaze dropping to her hands in her lap. "I loved it," she admitted. "It’s always been something I enjoyed. Arranging, designing, making things beautiful. It made me feel... in control, I guess. Like I could shape my little corner of the world, even when everything else felt out of control."

Stefan’s expression softened even more, his heart tugging at the quiet sincerity in her voice. He reached for her hand, curling his fingers around hers. "Then you should do it," he said firmly. "Not ’maybe.’ Not ’someday.’ I’ll open one for you. We’ll make it happen. Properly."

Her eyes shot to his, surprise lighting up her features. "You’re not just saying that, are you?" noveldrama

He chuckled, leaning back but keeping her hand in his. "Do I look like I’m joking?"

Ruby blinked, still processing his words. "But... why?" she asked softly. "You don’t have to—"

"Ruby," he interrupted gently, "it’s not about ’have to.’ It’s about ’want to.’ I want you to have something that makes you happy. Something that’s yours. And besides, it actually makes perfect sense. We sell properties, right? We always need interior and exterior services. Who better to handle those contracts than you? You’ll be handling all of it—design, decoration, even the event planning for the company’s official events if you’d like. It’ll be your business. Your name on it."

Her breath caught. "You’re serious."

"I’m serious," Stefan confirmed, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. "And I’ll make sure you get the best team, the best resources. You deserve that."

Ruby’s lips parted slightly in disbelief, but warmth bloomed in her chest. It wasn’t just the offer—it was the way he meant it. The way he wanted her to have something for herself, not because she needed to prove anything, but because he cared. Because he believed in her, just like he’d done a few times in the past.

She smiled softly, a blush rising to her cheeks. "Thank you," she whispered. "I don’t even know what to say."

"Just say yes," he teased, squeezing her hand. "Say yes and start thinking of a name for your business. Because I’ll make it happen."

She laughed lightly, leaning her head back against the seat. "Okay," she murmured. "Yes. I’d love that."

They sat there, her fingers still entwined with his, a comfortable silence falling between them as the jet sliced through the clouds. Ruby felt her heart settle in her chest, the weight she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying slowly lifting away.

With Stefan by her side, everything truly felt like a new beginning.