Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 69: Messy Puzzle

Chapter 69: Messy Puzzle

There was a long silence on the line before Ethan finally said, "Did you ask her what she meant?"

"No. Everyone—especially my mother and Ivy—insisted I ignore her. That she was just trying to confuse me. Her sister and mother all said that was how she was, always causing trouble but I can’t stop thinking about it. Her voice keeps playing in my head. It felt like... someone I knew. Someone who’s been close to me all along."

Ethan sighed. "Do you want me to look into her? I mean we should know where she’s been since after your wedding to know why she loves you."

Stefan didn’t answer immediately. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to make sense of the storm brewing in his mind.

Ethan was right. If truly she hadn’t been close to him, or hadn’t seen him before, how could she say she was inlove with him? It definitely couldn’t be just by hearing about him from Ivy.

After thinking about it, he gave a short nod, even though Ethan couldn’t see it.

"Yes. Find out where she has been, who she’s been in contact with and everything. Everything you can."

"Alright. I’ll get on it first thing tomorrow," Ethan said.

After they hung up, Stefan remained in his seat, staring blankly at the wall.

Why would Ivy go back to her room just after returning? Though she’d gone there a couple of times in the last six months, it was just to get clothes or bath when he was using the bathroom or getting dressed by Martin. Why had she gone there to sleep?

For the past six months, she had refused to sleep anywhere but beside him—even when he’d told her she didn’t need to stay.

He couldn’t shake the feeling growing in his gut. The kind of feeling that tells you your entire world might not be what you thought it was.

And as silence fell again around the mansion, Stefan whispered to himself, "What the hell is going on?"

It was nearly midnight when Stefan heard the faint sound of soft footsteps in the hallway. He didn’t move, just stared at the low-burning lamp on the side table, his thoughts too loud to ignore.

Soon, the door creaked open slowly and Ivy stepped in.

"I figured I’d find you here," Ivy’s voice floated through the air, soft and affectionate. f r\eew,eb novel.c(o)(m)

Stefan turned slightly in his seat as Ivy stepped into the study wearing a silky robe. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, and she walked over to him with a small smile playing on her lips.

"You should be resting," she said, placing her hand gently on his shoulder. "Your eyes need the break."

"I couldn’t sleep," Stefan murmured.

"Well, maybe you just need a little company," she said sweetly, slipping her arms around his neck from behind and resting her chin on his shoulder. "Come upstairs with me? Let’s go to bed."

Stefan hesitated, then gave a short nod, pushing back the whirl of doubt churning inside him. Ivy stepped away, holding out her hand.

He took it and let her lead him upstairs. Once in their bedroom, Ivy helped him settle on the bed, then went to switch off the lights.

She slid into the bed beside him, curling into his side like nothing was wrong—as though the last few hours of distance and confusion had never happened.

But Stefan wasn’t ready to let go just yet.

"Ivy," he said quietly, his voice cutting through the silence. "Can I ask you something?"

"Hmm?" she murmured, her fingers drawing light patterns on his arm.

"Your best friend.... Have you heard from her lately? Been a while you spoke about her," he said, deliberately leaving out who he was referring to.

If truly she was his Ivy, she’d know who. He told himself as he waited for her to reply.

There was a slight pause before Ivy responded. "Eliana? Oh... no. It’s been a while." She shifted slightly. "I lost my phone, remember? I haven’t been able to get back in touch with her to tell her about our good news."

"Oh! You could’ve just used my phone to call or message her, you know. I understand you might not know her contact by heart but you could’ve reached out through Instagram, you know?" he asked, watching her closely.

Ivy gave a soft laugh. "Oh, Stefan, you know how it is. Life gets busy. And she never really chats there. I’m hoping she’ll come visit now that the news is out about you getting your sight back. I’ve really missed Eliana though. Can’t wait to see her."

"Eliana," Stefan repeated, testing the name on his tongue. "Because you hardly spoke of her, I didn’t realize you two were still close."

She giggled. "Of course we are! How could we not be? We’ve been best friends since forever, Stefan."

Stefan frowned slightly, turning his head toward her. "You never mentioned her these past few months," he said, not wanting her to have any excuse when he finally confronts her.

She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Well, I was a little busy nursing a grumpy, bossy, and very handsome man back to health," she teased. "Can you blame me?"

He didn’t smile. Instead, he turned to face her. "Ivy, I know I’ve had memory gaps... especially with people I couldn’t see for a while. But I don’t remember you talking about Eliana even once. No calls. No messages. No visits."

Ivy’s brows furrowed for a moment, but she quickly masked it with a light laugh and kissed his temple. "You’re overthinking again. Let’s not talk about Eliana now, hmm? We’ve both had a long day."

She trailed her fingers down his chest and whispered, "It’s enough. Let’s just sleep, Stefan. You’re safe. We’re back home. Everything’s okay now."

But as she snuggled closer and buried her face into his neck, Stefan stared into the darkness. Everything was not okay.

And despite her soothing voice, her gentle touch, and the sweet scent of her perfume... She felt like a stranger now.

The Ivy beside him didn’t match the voice in his head—the one that had whispered I love you at the hospital. That voice hadn’t belonged to Ivy. That voice had felt like home.

And now, after confirming that this Ivy was still best friends with Eliana whom his wife had cut ties with and was best friends with Rayna now, he knew more than ever, that something was deeply, dangerously wrong.

And the woman in his arms might not be who she claimed to be. Maybe this was the blindness Ruby had talked about.

He needed to get to her. She knew something. Something that could solve this messy puzzle before him.