Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 58: I Get To See You Again

Chapter 58: I Get To See You Again

Stefan’s eyes fluttered slowly, heavy from days of unconsciousness. The bright light of the hospital room did nothing to him as all he could still see was darkness.

For a moment before he slipped into unconsciousness after the accident, he’d hoped he’d wake up and realize that his blindness for over six months had been nothing but a sickening nightmare but waking up now, he had just realized it wasn’t a nightmare.

Everything that had been happening for over six months was real and even the accident that happened to him was also reality.

He was busy wondering when things would get back to the way it was before his blindness when the soft voice of someone familiar reached his ears and then he reminded himself that he wouldn’t want to change anything as that would be erasing the love he’d experienced from Ivy in these past month. That was what he wouldn’t want.

"Stefan?" Ruby leaned forward from the chair beside his bed, her hand gently clasping his. Her heart raced. His eyes were finally open after ten days.

He blinked again and turned his head slightly, the motion sluggish but intentional. "Ivy...?"

Tears instantly filled her eyes. "Yes, it’s me. You’re awake." Her voice cracked as she whispered.

Relief washed over her in waves, but so did the guilt. She swallowed hard, brushing hair away from his forehead. "I’m so sorry... I’m really, really sorry, Stefan. If I hadn’t agreed to you taking me that day, if I had just gone alone, none of this would’ve happened. You would’ve gone straight to the office and been fine. This—this is all my fault."

He stared at her for a moment even though he couldn’t see her at all. Then, to her surprise, he gave a soft chuckle. "You’re being silly again. You know that, right?"

Ruby frowned. "No, I’m not. I mean it—"

Stefan squeezed her hand. "Baby, the accident would’ve still happened even if I had gone straight to the office. Who knows, maybe it would’ve been worse. I’m just thankful you weren’t with me. If anything had happened to you..." His voice trailed off, eyes darkening at the thought.

Her lips trembled, and she nodded. "I guess I’m just glad you’re okay now. You’ve been in a coma for ten days, Stefan. Ten long days."

He sighed softly, the reality settling into him. "Ten days... wow."

Ruby gave a small smile. "Yeah. I wish there was something I could do to wake you up. I kept talking to your unconscious self but you wouldn’t shake or laugh to my jokes—God, Stefan I feel so happy you’re awake now," she said, sniffling back the tears threatening to spill.

Stefan couldn’t help feeling really sorry about having to put her in such a situation but then again, he was glad it wasn’t her in his position. "How have you been holding up?" he asked, his voice low.

She shrugged, but her smile grew. "Tired. Scared. But staying by your side gave me strength. I didn’t want to be anywhere else."

"I’m sorry you had to go through all of this—"

"It’s not your fault, babe. None of this is your fault," Ruby cut in, raising his free hand to her lips. "Thank you for coming back to me, my love."

There was a moment of silence between them, a warm pause that said more than words could.

Then, at the same time, they both said, "I have something to tell you."

Ruby blinked, surprised as she couldn’t help but wonder what he wanted to say. "You first."

He hesitated. "No, you go."

She shook her head. "No, Stefan, really. You go first. I just want to hear you speak after watching your unconscious self for ten whole days."

Stefan exhaled slowly, visibly nervous. "Okay. There’s something I’ve been hiding from you. I— I’ve been seeing things, Ivy. Though not clearly, but in flashes. Almost like it never happened but I do see for splitting moments. I didn’t know how to explain it, or what it meant since the doctor said it didn’t mean anything. I kept hoping it would go away, or get clearer. I was scared to hope, Ivy. I didn’t want to disappoint you or myself if it meant nothing so I decided to keep it to myself."

Ruby’s lips parted, stunned. Her chest tightened with emotion, but she managed a soft laugh. So there had been moments he saw. Had she been with him in those moments? Had he seen her anytime even once?

She shook her head, deciding not to dwell on her thoughts. "You could’ve told me. I would’ve understood. That’s not something to hide, Steffie."

Stefan looked at her, confused. "You’re not upset?"

She shook her head, smiling through her tears. "How could I be upset over something so good? You should also know you won’t have to see in flashes anymore, baby. You’re going to see everything—clearly and soon."

"Six months is a long way to go—" .com

"Not six months from now but really soon baby," she cut in with a frown.

His brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Ruby wiped her cheeks and looked him in the eyes. "The doctor said your optic nerves have healed faster than expected. They’re ready to perform the surgery. They’ve made all the preparations already. They were just waiting for you to wake up."

Stefan’s breath caught. "You mean... I can really see again?"

She nodded. "Yes. Before we even leave the hospital."

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again, tears pooling. "I’ll get to see the world again. See your face again."

He reached out, his fingers gently brushing over her features. "I’ve missed this. Missed seeing your face. Your eyes... those gold flecks in your hazel eyes, your chestnut hair... I’ve missed all of it."

Ruby bit her lower lip, her heart aching. She wanted to correct him. Tell him the truth. That it wasn’t Ivy he was seeing again. It was Ruby. It had always been her. But her voice caught in her throat. She couldn’t do it—not now.

Tears fell down her cheeks again. "I’m happy too. So happy you’re going to see again. But I—I need to go get the doctor. And some food. You must be really hungry by now. You need to eat."

He tried to stop her, to say something else, but she was already halfway to the door. "I’ll be right back, I promise," she said, forcing a smile before slipping out.

As soon as she was outside the room, she ducked into the nearest restroom and locked the door behind her. Her back hit the wall and her hands covered her face as she broke down completely. The tears she’d been holding back for days—fear, guilt, relief, love—all of it came pouring out. Her sobs echoed in the small tiled room as her heart clenched tightly knowing she’d soon break his heart with the truth.

After a few minutes, she washed her face and took a deep breath. Then she stepped out and headed to find the doctor. On her way, she pulled out her phone and called Elizabeth.

"Hello?"

"He’s awake," Ruby said, barely holding back her emotion. "Stefan’s awake. Can you bring some food for him?"

"Of course. I’ll be there right away," Elizabeth answered.

As she ended the call, Ruby knew the next Chapter of their lives was just beginning. But what would happen after the surgery? Would he still want her after she told him the truth? Or would the truth change everything?

She didn’t know. But for now, he was alive. He was awake. And soon, he’d be able to see again and that was more than enough—for now.