Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 19: You Are Ivy

By the time they pulled into the circular driveway of the mansion, the sun was beginning to dip behind the trees, casting golden shadows across the lawn.

Ruby parked around the side, away from the usual staff line of sight. She quickly unlocked the trunk and pulled out a folded shawl, draping it over Rayna’s head.

"This is ridiculous," Rayna mumbled under the fabric.

"You’re the one who insisted on sneaking in."

"I didn’t realize I’d be smuggled like contraband," she said and Ruby giggled, unable to hold it in.

"You asked for it. Hurry up," Ruby whispered, peeking around the hedges. The staff entrance by the kitchen looked clear.

They made a dash for it.

Ruby’s heart pounded with every step, adrenaline tingling in her fingers. One wrong move, one unexpected housekeeper or butler taking out trash, and everything would unravel.

Though if it happened like that, she’d just have to lie that Rayna was the new maid. She thought and almost laughed when she imagined Rayna’s response if she were to tell her anything about what she was thinking.

But luck — or sheer desperation — was on their side. They made it through the door and down the service hallway without incident.

Ruby led Rayna up the back stairs, avoiding the main hallway where voices echoed faintly. Her mother’s voice was unmistakable — low, clipped, and likely scolding someone about cutlery arrangements.

"Your mom sounds fun," Rayna whispered sarcastically.

"Welcome to my world."

Once inside her bedroom, Ruby locked the door and exhaled. "Now I can breath!"

Rayna pulled off the shawl and collapsed onto the plush chair in the corner. "Well, that was thrilling. Do I get a snack or at least a bottle of water for surviving the infiltration?"

Ruby rolled her eyes but handed her a chilled bottle from the mini fridge. "Stay put. I’ll check if anyone is near the hallway before I go down. Also, you should know I’m always in Stefan’s room. No one agreed to having me keep my space."

"Noted. That means I have this room to myself then," she said with a grin.

notebook and pen from her bag, already drawing a rough sketch of

in-law," she said with a silly grin,

in-law?" Ruby asked

him?

and gave her a stern look. "How

just asking to

nobody sees you," Ruby said, cutting

also watch the staff to see if there’s any particular one keeping an eye on you," she said, meeting

made. There was something off about all this. Too many

the truth waited. And

room, gently closing the door behind her. The soft click echoed louder than she expected, or maybe it was just the weight of what she was carrying—secrets, guilt, and the presence of her

wafted from the kitchen, mingling with the delicate aroma of fresh lilies in the vases that

a sharp voice called from behind her and she didn’t need anyone to tell her who it

find her mother, Regina, stepping out from the small parlor, her expression pinched, her perfectly manicured hands folded tightly over her clutch.

went to see a friend. I needed to think away from everything for

the stairs. "So you thought it made sense to disappear while your blind husband is upstairs by himself? Ivy, how could you be so careless? What did

flare in her chest. "I sent his valet to him,"

whisper as her eyes darted around to ensure no one else was nearby. "That’s not something you

invisible grip of her

can’t even see the world around him.

Stefan so he would be too in love and happy she was being there for

slightly into her dress. Her voice was tight. "I didn’t

saw this," Regina hissed. "Because if it

looked away, guilt prickling hot

may be polite to your face," Regina said, her voice softening just slightly, "but she’s watching you, Ivy. All the time. The smallest change in behavior will alert her. So I need you to remember something: you’re not just pretending to be Ivy. You are Ivy. Until this

nodded, swallowing past the tightness in her throat.

what Ivy would’ve done. That’s the only way to keep him from seeing through you," Regina said firmly. Then, with a glance down the hallway, she added, "Go. Check on him. Help

leave, but her mother’s hand briefly touched her

doing well, darling," Regina added softly, though her tone held more pressure than