Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 145: I Missed You

The soft hum of the private jet filled the air, blending with the faint rustle of the clouds outside as the aircraft sliced through the sky with gentle grace.

Ruby sat nestled in one of the plush leather seats, her fingers absently brushing over the golden embroidery on the armrest. She could still hardly believe this was real—this jet, this man beside her, this strange sense of peace she hadn’t felt in weeks.

Her gaze shifted slowly to Stefan, who sat across from her, his eyes half-closed in quiet contentment. The soft overhead lighting painted his features in warm tones, highlighting the strong line of his jaw, the gentle curve of his lips, and the peaceful expression he rarely wore.

Ruby’s heart gave a little flutter.

She couldn’t stop thinking about how much had changed in such a short time. From strangers locked in a tangled web of lies to this...

Something soft. Something real. From a man who was never meant to be hers to someone who was hers, not just physically but by heart too.

She shifted slightly in her seat, her hand resting unconsciously on her slightly rounded belly. "You know," she murmured softly, her voice barely louder than a whisper, "I still can’t believe we’re really doing this."

Stefan opened his eyes, lifting his head to look at her. His lips quirked into the faintest smile. "Doing what?"

"This," she said, her eyes flickering around the cabin. "Going back together. Starting over. Actually talking like normal people."

His smile deepened as he sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "We were never normal, Ruby. From the moment we met, nothing about us was ever simple."

She laughed softly, leaning back. "That’s true. But it feels different now. I feel... safe."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of her words settled between them, unspoken but understood. Stefan’s gaze softened, his brows furrowing slightly as he searched her face.

"I’m glad you feel that way," he said after a while, his voice low and sincere. "Because that’s all I want. To make you feel safe. To make you happy."

Ruby bit her bottom lip, her heart aching in the most beautiful way. She felt tears sting the back of her eyes but blinked them away quickly.

She wasn’t used to this version of him—gentle, open, soft. She liked it more than she wanted to admit.

Stefan seemed to read her silence. He stood, moving across the small space between them, and sat beside her without asking. The scent of his cologne—warm, rich, familiar—washed over her, and she felt herself relax without meaning to.

He reached for her hand, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. "Can I?"

Ruby’s heart thudded as she nodded. His hand slid carefully over her belly, tentative at first, as though afraid to press too hard. The simple gesture, tender and intimate, brought fresh warmth rushing to her cheeks.

For a while, neither of them spoke. They just sat there, his hand resting protectively over her stomach, their breathing in sync as the jet hummed steadily around them.

"I thought I’d lost you," Stefan murmured at last, his voice thick. "The day of the accident... when I saw that car..."

Ruby looked at him, her heart clenching. She reached out, touching his cheek. "But you didn’t. I’m still here. We both are."

He closed his eyes briefly, leaning into her touch. "I don’t ever want to feel that way again."

A comfortable silence fell over them again. The gentle hum of the engines, the soft lighting, the distant horizon through the windows—it all felt strangely peaceful.

Ruby swallowed, her voice dropping lower. "I never said it before... but I missed you too. More than I thought I would. Even when I was angry, I missed you."

Stefan’s eyes opened, meeting hers. "You did?"

She nodded, her thumb brushing over the back of his hand. "I guess I was just scared. Of being hurt. Of getting it wrong. Of... falling too deep."

He smiled faintly, leaning closer. "I think we both fell without knowing and man, I thank God for that everyday," he said with a smile which Ruby returned.

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. noveldrama

"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.