Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 68: What Kind Of Things

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."

"Thanks, baby," he said but deep down,

They’re hiding something.

wasn’t going to ignore it. He’d get

was set, they all walked out of the hospital as they headed to the car, where Martin

ride from the hospital had been unusually quiet. Elizabeth kept looking out the window, her hands folded tightly on her

Stefan, looking at him, her expression unreadable. Stefan, freshly discharged and feeling the weight of everything that had happened in the past few hours, leaned back in his seat,

welcome him home. He gave them a tired nod, appreciating

the same—but it didn’t feel the same especially to Stefan as he couldn’t remember how the house had been after

gave instructions to the maid to prepare something light for him. Ivy didn’t sit beside him or offer to help him to their room as she normally would have. Instead, she walked ahead, dropped her handbag on the console table, and

I’m really tired and having a headache," she announced

Stefan blinked. Her room?

gently. "Aren’t you coming upstairs

rest here for now. I’ve been taking care of you for

climbed the stairs and disappeared down the hallway to the room she hadn’t used once in the past

one who was always distant and demanding. But during the past six months, she had been

for the last

Elizabeth

Not just a little. Everything about

probably just tired.

nothing, watching her leave toward the kitchen. Though he knew he shouldn’t have told his mother that

whatever this was, Ivy was going to

house had quieted down after his