Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO
Chapter 76: Stay Gone

Chapter 76: Stay Gone

Though Eliana felt like knocking the hell out of Ivy’s head so that she’d shop acting like she didn’t remember what she did, Eliana let it go, instead simply deciding to have it out with the selfish Ivy.

"You barely looked at me. Said everything was fine in that fake, forced tone. Like I was just another nosy guest instead of your best friend." Eliana turned to face her, eyes burning with frustration. "And then, nothing. No calls. No texts. You won’t even take mine or return my texts. You ghosted me, Ivy!"

Ivy bit her lip. She didn’t expect this kind of anger from Eliana, and now she didn’t know how to fix it. ’Damn Ruby!’ how could she have treated Eliana that way?

This explained why Stefan seemed genuinely surprised about hearing her say Eliana’s name. What was Ruby thinking? Ivy thought as she tried to think of how to get Eliana to be less upset.

"I honestly don’t remember that day, Eli," Ivy said quietly. "I don’t because that day.... it wasn’t me you saw or spoke to," she said deciding to tell her the truth.

Eliana frowned in confusion. "And what the hell are you talking about?"

"I’m saying it wasn’t the one who saw you that day," Ivy said, trying to keep her voice calm. "That was Ruby."

Eliana blinked. "What do you mean Ruby? How can she be with your husband while even pretending to be you? Please make it make sense ’cause it doesn’t make any sense right now," Eliana said in frustration.

"What I said is that the person you saw the day you came whenever that was, was my twin sister. And she wasn’t just pretending to you. She was actually pretending to be me to everyone including—especially Stefan." f\r(e)ewe.b no\vel.com

Eliana stared at her, confused. Ivy saw the confusion on Eliana’s face and took a deep breath.

"Here’s what happened. I ran away on my wedding day," Ivy said with a resigned sigh. "I couldn’t go through with it. My mom and Stefan’s mom made Ruby step in and marry Stefan. So she did and went home with him as me. That’s who you saw."

Silence hung between them for a moment as Eliana tried to process everything she’d heard.

Eliana finally blinked, looking stunned. "Wait... seriously? That actually happened or you’re just trying to lie your way out of this?"

Ivy nodded. "It happened. I mean how else would I not be in touch with you? I didn’t realize I left my phone while fleeing that day so I couldn’t even call." f r\eew,eb novel.c(o)(m)

"No wonder you seemed so off that day," Eliana muttered. Then she looked at Ivy again. "But why? Why did you leave? Didn’t you love Stefan?"

Ivy looked down at her shoes, her voice quiet. "Love? Oh please. Why would I be caught up in something so stupid when there’s money? I know I probably shouldn’t have left him but then, I thought about it and realize I just couldn’t live that life. Stefan had just gone blind. Everyone expected me to marry him and become his caretaker, his eyes, his strength... everything. I wasn’t ready for that. I felt like I was walking into a cage and it felt so suffocating."

Eliana leaned against the kitchen counter, arms still crossed but her tone softer now. "So you ran."

"Yeah, to take a breather," Ivy said, then looked up. "But now I’m back."

"Just like that?" Eliana asked. "How? Your sister agreed to switch just like that and what about Stefan? He didn’t notice?"

Ivy shrugged. "My mom helped. She... made sure everything went smoothly. Even Ruby was taken care of so I’m here now, with my man as though nothing happened." .com

Eliana raised an eyebrow. "Your mom’s something else."

"She is," Ivy said. "But enough about that. I didn’t come here to talk about the past. I came to make it up to you. I’m sorry for ignoring you. Truly. Let’s have a girls’ day, just like old times. Spa, maybe lunch, and some shopping after? All on me."

Eliana narrowed her eyes a bit, still suspicious. "Didn’t you say you were staying with your husband now? Shouldn’t you be with him instead of booking facials?" she teased.

Ivy muttered under her breath, "You know that can never be me. It’s all her but trust me. This is me, your Ivy. Let’s go get that spa while we catch up. There’s much to be said. I feel so excited about catching up with you already," she said and Eliana smiled.

"Fine. As long as you’re paying, let’s go. I’m ever ready."

"Of course," Ivy said with a smile, happy to have won her over.

They left shortly after and drove to a popular spa salon downtown. The moment they stepped in, the soothing music and scent of lavender welcomed them. It felt like a different world—quiet, calm, far away from all the lies and pressure.

As they changed into robes and sat waiting for their turn, Eliana turned to Ivy.

"So... what about Ruby? Where’s she now?" she asked curiously.

Ivy glanced away. "She’s out of town."

"That’s it?" Eliana asked, sipping her cucumber water. "She just vanished?"

Ivy nodded slowly. "Yeah. She left yesterday after everyone discarded her like she meant nothing."

"If I were you," Eliana said casually, "I’d make sure she stayed gone."

Ivy blinked. "What?" she asked in alarm as she tried to keep her voice down.

"I mean it," Eliana said, turning to face her. "She knows way too much. You really think she won’t cause problems later? Especially now that Stefan’s got his sight back?"

Ivy smiled faintly. "Ruby wouldn’t do that. She’s my sister. We might not always agree but she’s still my sister. She loves me."

Eliana gave her a long look. "Exactly. That’s why you should be careful. It’s always the ones closest to you who can hurt you the most. What if she loves him more now?"

Ivy didn’t say anything right away. She didn’t want to admit it, but the thought had crossed her mind too. Ruby knew everything—about the switch, about Stefan, about the family secrets. And Stefan had been acting strange lately. Asking quiet questions. Looking at her differently.

What if he already suspected something?

What if Ruby told him? But how could she have? She had been with Stefan all through from the hospital and no one had come in contact with Stefan so she was hundred percent sure Ruby hadn’t told him anything and he doesn’t know anything either.

"She won’t cause trouble," Ivy said quietly, more to herself than to Eliana as though she was saying it to reassure herself.

Eliana didn’t push. She leaned back and closed her eyes as a spa attendant called them in for their treatments.

Though Eliana didn’t say any other thing to Ivy but Ivy’s thoughts were spinning, unable to stay calm now in the silence.

She wanted to believe Ruby would keep quiet. She had to believe it. But deep down, a small part of her was beginning to feel uneasy.

Maybe Eliana had a point. Maybe Ruby’s silence wasn’t something she could count on forever.

And if Stefan ever found out the truth, everything Ivy had worked so hard to reclaim would come crashing down.

As the massage began and calm music played in the background, Ivy closed her eyes to feel the calm but deep down in her mind, nothing was calm.