As the evening breeze swept across the rooftop, carrying the soft melody of a distant violin, Ruby and Stefan sat across from each other at the elegantly set table. Candlelight flickered between them, casting a warm glow on Stefan's sharp features.
The dinner was exquisite—perfectly seared steak, creamy mashed potatoes, and a delicate red wine sauce. Stefan ate with practiced ease, his movements graceful despite his blindness. Ruby, on the other hand, found herself watching him more than eating.
He had adapted well. The way he reached for his wine glass without hesitation, the way he used his knife and fork with confidence—it was impressive.
Yet, despite how at ease he appeared, Ruby noticed the small details—the way his fingers skimmed the rim of his glass before lifting it, the careful way he adjusted his utensils, ensuring they were positioned exactly as he needed. He moved with practiced ease, but there were moments of hesitation. The slightest pause before reaching for his drink, the way his hand ghosted over the table as if confirming the placement of objects.
It was these tiny details, things she had overlooked before, that now stood out starkly.
"You're quiet," Stefan remarked as he cut into his food with precision, his movements sure but calculated. "Is something on your mind?"
Ruby hesitated before offering a small smile. "Just thinking."
"About what?"
She glanced down at her plate, unsure of how to phrase it without making him feel pitied. "How well you handle everything." She gestured vaguely. "Your sight… the way you navigate things."
Stefan smirked, setting his knife down. "You sound surprised."
"Not surprised," she said carefully. "Just… impressed."
He leaned back slightly, his expression amused. "I wasn't always this way, you know. The first few days were hell. I lost track of how many things I broke or how many times I ran into walls. And the frustration…" He let out a small, humorless chuckle. "It nearly drove me insane. That was when I talked about calling off our wedding. I'm glad you didn't let me."
Her grip on her fork tightened. Ivy had mentioned his struggles in passing, but hearing it from him now, laced with quiet frustration and acceptance, made it hit differently.
And to think he had wanted to call off the wedding.
Why didn't Ivy let him? Instead, she convinced him to go through with it… only to abandon him.
"Why?" Ruby asked softly. "You don't know if I resent my decision."
Stefan's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Because I know you don't. If you did, you wouldn't have offered to be my sight earlier."
His words sent an unexpected warmth through her chest. Before she could process it, his phone rang.
Stefan frowned slightly, reaching into his pocket. His fingers brushed over the device, searching for the right button.
"I'll help you with that," Ruby offered, standing and moving around the table. She took his phone gently and guided his fingers over the screen before answering it for him.
"Stefan Winters," he said, his tone shifting immediately to one of authority.
Ruby stepped back, observing the change in his posture. He sat up straighter, his entire demeanor sharpening.
"Yes, and what did the board say?" His expression remained unreadable, but the slight tension in his jaw made her wonder what he was hearing.
After a moment, he exhaled sharply. "That's their problem. I gave clear instructions before taking my leave. If they can't handle a minor setback without me, then maybe they shouldn't be in those positions."
Ruby raised an eyebrow. Even blind, he was completely in control.
"Tell them to hold it off until next week. I'm not coming in tomorrow. I just got married yesterday, and I intend to enjoy some peace for at least a few days."
Ruby's stomach twisted slightly at that. Right. He thought he was married to Ivy.
Stefan ended the call with a sigh, rubbing his temple.
"Work?" Ruby asked casually, pushing aside the odd sense of unease curling in her stomach.
"Nothing important," he replied dismissively.
She tilted her head. "Didn't sound like nothing."
Stefan smirked. "Just a minor issue at the company. I'll deal with it later."
Ruby frowned slightly. "But what if it gets worse?"
"It won't," he said with certainty. "They can wait."
She studied him for a moment before speaking again. "Then why don't we go tomorrow?"
Stefan's brows knitted together. "Go?"
"Yes. To the company," she clarified. "You can't see, so it's understandable that you're taking time off, but if there's an issue that requires your attention, shouldn't you at least check on it?"
Stefan hesitated. He had half-expected her to encourage him to relax, to assure him the company could function without him for a while—something Ivy had always done.
Yet, here she was, urging him to step back into his role. Why? Because he had his sight then or was there another reason?
"You don't have to bother yourself with this," he said after a beat.
"I want to," Ruby insisted, surprising herself with how much she meant it. "I can help. Besides, I'm supposed to be your wife, right? You have to show me off to your employees."
His lips parted slightly in surprise before a chuckle escaped him. "You're full of surprises today."
She shrugged. "Well, I just think it makes sense. If you need to handle something, then let's handle it while you show me off."
Stefan ran a hand through his hair, considering. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check in for a few hours and show you off—even though you've been to the company countless times and everyone already knows you."
"They know me," Ruby said, smiling, "but not as your wife."
Stefan exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "Then let's show them my wife."
"Then, it's settled."
As they continued their meal, Stefan found himself intrigued.
Ivy had never been this involved in his work before.
She had always supported him in her own way, but she had never encouraged him to push through his limitations—not like this.
And yet, here she was, urging him forward instead of holding him back.
For the first time, doubt crept into his mind.
Had Ivy really changed? Though he had said it earlier but now, she seemed to not have just changed. It seemed more like she was a totally different person.
Or was there something he wasn't seeing? How was he supposed to with his eyes gone? Perhaps, it was time to pay more attention and perhaps, ask questions.