As Ruby focused on her food, Stefan rose from the bed, stretching slightly. She watched as his fingers traced along the bedside table before he moved toward the wardrobe.
He was slow, deliberate, and yet there was something almost effortless about the way he navigated the room.
He knew where everything was, but she could tell there were moments of hesitation—pauses where he had to double-check, moments where his fingers searched for confirmation before proceeding.
Her chest tightened as he opened the wardrobe and ran his hands over the hanging clothes, feeling for textures. He eventually pulled out a button-down shirt and a pair of trousers, but when he tried to fasten the first button, his fingers fumbled slightly.
Ruby set her fork down since she was full now. "Do you need help?"
Stefan exhaled, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I can do it."
She could tell he didn't like needing help from the look on his face and she could only wonder if he'd been the one doing it all by himself all this while.
But then, after a few more seconds of struggling, he let out a quiet sigh and muttered, "Maybe I need help. Just this once and because you offered."
Ruby's lips curled into a smile at his tactics and then shook her head.
Ruby stood, walking toward him, and gently took the fabric in her hands. She began buttoning his shirt with careful precision, her fingers grazing his chest lightly as she worked.
He smelled good. Clean, masculine, with a subtle hint of cologne that made her acutely aware of how close they were.
"Are you going out?" she asked, thinking Ivy would've asked him same if she had been the one here.
"Yes. We. We're going out," he said and she frowned.
"We? Where are we going and why didn't you tell me?" she asked and he shrugged.
"Well, I'm telling you now. I had something planned for us today."
Ruby's fingers paused on the last button before she forced herself to continue. "Planned?"
"A surprise. I had it all arranged before… well, before things changed. And I still want to give it to you."
Her stomach twisted. A surprise meant it was something he had planned for Ivy.
She took a step back. "What is it?"
Stefan smirked. "If I tell you, it won't be a surprise. You should get dressed after you're done with me," he said and she raised her head to look into his face.
The smile on his face made it impossible for her to look away and she found her eyes tracing every of his features. She didn't know know how long she had been doing that until Stefan cocked his head to the side, a smile playing on his lips.
"Had enough of me now?" he asked abd she cleared her throat, tearing her gaze away.
"There," she said, stepping back and changing the topic.
Stefan smiled. Though he knew what she wanted to do, he allowed her. "Thanks, Ivy."
The name sent a pang through her chest, but she forced a nod.
"Your clothes, do you always wear it yourself? Why don't you ask someone to help you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice light.
"You know me. I don't like depending on people too much," he said. "I have to manage on my own."
Ruby swallowed. He was trying so hard to be independent, to keep control of his life despite his blindness. The realization made her chest tighten.
Before she could dwell on it, Stefan turned toward her, a playful smirk curving his lips.
"Now, back to what I was saying earlier," he said. "Prepare for that, okay?"
She hesitated. This wasn't meant for her. It was for Ivy. Whatever Stefan had planned, it was meant for the woman he thought she was.
Still, she nodded. "Alright."
Two hours later, Ruby stood frozen as she stared at the sight before her.
They were on the rooftop of Stefan's mansion, where a breathtaking setup awaited her.
A long table covered in white silk was set with the finest china, candles flickering in delicate glass holders.
Flower petals lined the floor, and soft music played in the background. A violinist stood at the far end, playing a melody so beautiful it sent chills down her spine.
It was straight out of a fairytale.
Stefan stood beside her, his face calm but expectant. "Do you like it?" he asked and she could hear the excitement in his voice, probably as he waited for 'his Ivy' to scream at this grand gesture.
She tried to scream, the way she knew Ivy would've but Ruby's throat tightened. She just couldn't do it as all she felt at that moment was sympathy for him.
He had done all this… for Ivy and yet, standing here, in the midst of it all, she felt overwhelmed—not with guilt this time, but with something deeper.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
Stefan exhaled a small chuckle. "I wish I could see your face right now. Your smile," he said and Ruby swallowed hard.
She turned to him, placing a hand on his arm. "I'll save it," she said. "For when you can finally see."
His smile faltered for the briefest moment. "You really think that's possible?"
She hesitated. "What do you mean?"
Stefan's fingers tightened slightly around his cane. "What if I wait a year and the doctors say it's not possible? What if I never get my sight back?"
The vulnerability in his voice sent a sharp ache through her.
She had heard from Ivy that his blindness had resulted from optic nerve damage. The doctors had said that cases like his had a 90% chance of improvement, but they needed a full year to assess the best approach. Operating too soon could risk permanent blindness.
But hearing him voice his fears like this made it feel so much more real.
She had been so focused on her guilt, and on her own deception, that she hadn't truly thought about what he was going through having to battle with blindness when he had so much money.
He wasn't just a powerful billionaire who had lost his sight.
He was a man terrified of losing something more—hope of ever getting his sight back.
Without thinking, Ruby reached for his hand. "You will get your sight back. But even if you don't, then… we'll figure it out," she said firmly.
Then, on impulse, she guided his hand to her face.
Stefan's fingers hesitated before tracing over her features, brushing over her cheekbones, down her nose, along her lips.
Ruby's breath caught and instead of letting her thoughts spiral out of control, she decided to focus on what she was supposed to do.
"I'll be your eyes, Stefan," she murmured.
His fingers curled around her face, steady and warm.
A small smile tugged at his lips. "You've changed," he murmured.
Ruby's heart pounded and she quickly stepped back so he wouldn't feel her body tensed.
"What?" she managed to ask.
"You're different," he said, tilting his head. "You're much more stronger and much more thoughtful. I can't believe I've been worried about how you'd take this for nothing."
Her heart pounded. She wasn't different. She wasn't even Ivy and he was right to be worried because Ivy had ran off.
Though she still felt tense about how she'd be able to keep up with the charade, she couldn't help the heaviness in her heart.
Ruby had been so focused on her guilt, her deception, that she hadn't thought about what he needed.
But standing here, with his hand still lightly touching hers, she realized something.
She wanted to be someone he could rely on. Not just because of the lie. But because… he needed someone.