Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 67: The Bottom Of It

Chapter 67: The Bottom Of It

Unlike when he didn’t have his sight but was left to believe what he felt, now, he had his sight and also his feelings. He’d know when it’s fake and real.

Just then, his phone buzzed on the bed beside him. He glanced at the screen and swallowed when he saw it was Ethan.

Stefan’s brow furrowed, thumb brushing over the screen. He didn’t answer. Not with Ivy here. He’d called Ethan because he wanted to ask him to look into Ruby but he had not picked up. Now he was calling and though he wanted to recieve it and make the request as soon as possible, it could wait. He thought as he placed the call on silent.

"Who is it?" Ivy asked casually, stepping closer.

"Ethan," Stefan replied evenly, slipping the phone into his pocket.

He turned his head slightly, expecting to hear a polite remark. Instead, he caught the faintest scoff from Ivy. Not loud, but sharp enough to make Elizabeth glance up. Stefan didn’t miss the way Ivy’s lips curled in distaste.

His stomach tightened and he couldn’t help the frown that creased his brows.

He’d heard that sound before—once, long ago—when Ivy used to gossip about people she disliked. It wasn’t just disapproval. It was contempt. He hadn’t exactly heard it once in the long six months after their wedding and he’d thought she’d probably stopped doing that.

Something twisted in his chest. Why would she react like that to Ethan? Had something gone wrong behind his back?

"Problem?" he asked, pretending not to notice her expression.

"No," Ivy said too quickly, flashing him a smile. "It’s just... Ethan’s always calling. He can be a little much sometimes, don’t you think?"

Stefan didn’t answer right away. He remembered their laughter—six months of it. The quiet moments he’d overheard them having. The soft way she used to say Ethan’s name.

He used to think they’d grown closer because she said she couldn’t continue being in bad terms or disliking anyone since life is too short and unpredictable.

So what now? What changed? What happened? Or had it had all been a performance? Couldn’t have been a performance for six months, right?

"Hmm," he murmured, his voice unreadable.

Elizabeth stood, brushing her coat into place. "I’ll go speak to the nurse about your discharge papers," she said gently, perhaps sensing the shift in mood. f(r)eew(e)bnovel.(c)o(m)

She’d already helped as much as she could and as much as she could hope everything would be in place, it all depended on Ivy.

When she left, the room felt quieter—tenser. Ivy stepped forward, sitting beside him, wanting to do anything to avoid too much quiet between them.

"I’m glad you’re coming home today," she said, placing her hand on his. "It’s been hard seeing you here, in this place. But now we can finally get back to normal."

Stefan turned his head slightly, his eyes masked in calm.

Normal. Whatever normal meant now.

He forced a smile. "Yeah. Let’s see how that goes," he said but in his chest, unease was already growing.

A suspicion. A whisper. And this time, he wasn’t blind or deaf to it.

While they’re there, Regina’s heels clicked sharply against the marble tiles of Stefan’s expansive foyer as she strode in with urgency coiled in every step. Her expression was tight, her fingers clutching her handbag a little too tightly.

She needed to look for Ruby and make sure she wasn’t going to show her face before Stefan again. Where else could she look if not here? In Stefan’s home where she considered home too?

One of the housemaids, a young woman in a neat black uniform, came forward, offering a polite bow. "Good afternoon, ma’am."

Regina didn’t waste time. "Did Ivy come here earlier today?" Elizabeth had told her they were not to let any staff know about Ivy being a twin as that could jeopardize things for them.

The maid blinked in surprise but nodded. "Yes, ma’am. She arrived earlier and left shortly after with a box."

Regina’s eyes narrowed. "Did she say anything before leaving? And did you tell anyone else? Did anyone else see her come?"

"No, ma’am," the maid replied carefully. "No one else as everyone is busy trying to keep things in place."

"What else did she do when she came?" Regina asked and the maid shook her head.

"She just went straight to the bedroom and took her box. Didn’t speak to anyone. Actually, it looked like she was in a hurry."

Regina’s chest tightened. That confirmed it—Ruby had left. No confrontation. No message. Just gone. It was better for them all this way. .com

"Don’t mention this to anyone," she said quickly, leaning in. "Especially not to Mr. Winters or Martin. If anyone asks, you haven’t seen her today, do you understand?"

The maid nodded, swallowing. "Yes, ma’am."

Turning on her heel, Regina stepped outside, fumbling in her purse for her phone. She dialed Ruby’s number, the line ringing... and ringing... until it went to voicemail.

Her brows furrowed. She tried again. Still nothing.

Then it hit her. They were supposed to take the phone before she left!

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath.

Within moments, she was back in her car, barking at the driver, "Take me to the nearest phone shop. Now."

Fifteen minutes later, she was activating a new number, fingers flying across the screen as she typed out a quick message to Elizabeth.

[I just got a new phone for Ivy. We didn’t get to take the phone from Ruby so tell Ivy to tell Stefan her phone went missing if he asks about the change of line. I’m bringing the phone now.]

She hit send and deleted the message history immediately.

She couldn’t afford any slip-ups now. If Stefan suspected something—anything—the entire plan would collapse.

At the hospital, Stefan stood near the nurse’s station, adjusting the strap of his bag over his shoulder. The discharge papers were finally signed, and he was cleared to go home.

The doctor offered him some final words. "Remember to limit screen exposure and don’t strain your eyes. Healing takes time."

"Understood," Stefan said quietly.

He was just about to return to his room when he noticed something that made him pause.

Across the hallway, just outside his room, his mother was standing close to Ivy, their heads bowed together, speaking in hushed tones.

They looked up briefly when they noticed him watching. Ivy offered a smile, the kind that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Elizabeth straightened her posture and turned away, as though nothing unusual had happened.

But Stefan wasn’t fooled. Since when were they so close? He thought.

He remembered vividly how cold things had gotten between them—especially after the incident with Richard. Elizabeth had never truly approved of Ivy since then. Their interactions were polite at best, icy at worst.

And now they were whispering like co-conspirators? Something wasn’t right.

His jaw clenched slightly. He didn’t say anything—not yet—but his mind was already working. Picking up on the tension. The strange timing. The secrets that lingered in every quiet look and unspoken word.

He walked back toward them with calm steps and a composed smile. "Is everything okay?"

Elizabeth turned quickly. "Yes, darling. Ivy and I were just... discussing the arrangements at home. Making sure everything’s ready for your return."

Ivy nodded. "We want everything to be perfect for you." .com

Stefan tilted his head slightly. "Thanks, baby," he said but deep down, a quiet voice whispered:

They’re hiding something.

And this time, he wasn’t going to ignore it. He’d get to the bottom of it.