Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 72: Just Curious

Warm sunlight crept through the partially drawn curtains, casting golden streaks across the king-sized bed in Stefan’s room.

Stefan turned onto his side, blinking against the light. For a moment, everything felt calm. Too calm. He’d almost even forgotten he could see now since he’d almost gotten used to the blindness.

He sighed when his eyes adjusted to the light and he could feel Ivy beside him—her breathing soft and even. Her back was to him, the covers pulled up to her shoulder.

Last night had been strange despite the fact that she’d always been the one with him all these months or maybe not.

She had come to find him hours after disappearing into her old room, all sweet words and gentle touches, whispering apologies and saying she didn’t want to sleep alone. But her touch had felt foreign. Mechanical. As if she was trying too hard.

He shifted, resting his arm beneath his head, watching the back of her. Ivy—or whoever she truly was—had clung to him last night, whispering that she missed being close to him. That she had just been tired and overwhelmed. But even in that moment, Stefan had sensed something off.

How could she miss being close to him when they’ve always been together? Even in the hospital? Infact they’d been together the night before and she’d only left to go bath and change.

He watched as she stirred, slowly turning to face him, her eyes fluttering open. Her hair was tousled in a way that seemed too perfect, her smile too prepared.

"Good morning," she said, voice soft.

Stefan studied her, searching for something familiar in her features. "Morning," he said finally, his tone neutral.

She scooted closer, her hand tracing lazy circles across his chest. "Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough." He kept his eyes on her. "You?"

She nodded, burying her face against his shoulder. "It’s good to be back in your arms again."

He didn’t respond. His mind was already turning. He’d thought it was probably a mistake but now that she’d said it again, it was obvious it wasn’t.

"I’m feeling famished this morning. I should go bath and head down for breakfast. Not sure I can hold it in any longer," Stefan said and Ivy flashed him a smile.

"I should go see what they’re doing and then come get ready too so we can eat together," Ivy said but Stefan wasn’t listening to her.

A short while later, the aroma of sizzling eggs and warm cinnamon filled the dining room as Stefan took his seat at the head of the table.

Though his vision was still recovering, the light filtering through the curtains gave the room a pleasant glow. Ivy joined him moments later, wearing a soft yellow blouse and a pair of pearl earrings that caught the sunlight.

to make your favorite," she said with a smile as she took her seat beside him.

as he watched her

hadn’t changed from the staffs, came over with a small bowl of freshly cut strawberries. "Sir, these

made those mini apple

Ivy stiffened. Her spoon paused mid-air as she couldn’t help the irritation that rose through

been on her face faltered for a second—just a

her voice edged with irritation. "Why would you—" she was saying but

but with the staff and extra sweet with Stefan. She shouldn’t be yelling over nothing.

a while ago. "I mean... that was very sweet of you, Elsie. I must’ve mentioned it before and forgotten. Thank you,"

was no way she could risk leaving anyone who’d start noticing changes in her appetite or food she

unaware of the thoughts going on in Ivy’s head seemed surprised by the shift but quickly recovered since this

better." The maid turned and walked away, but the moment hung in

he pretended not to

spoonful of cereal and chewed slowly, his expression

he knew, Ivy in the last six months never snapped at the staff for any reason even when

She would have laughed and thanked Elsie, not bitten her head off over something so trivial. This... definitely

gauge whether he had noticed anything. "You’re awfully quiet this morning," she said lightly, reaching for her

little," Stefan said, tone

then tilted her head. "You’re not planning to go in today, are

up from his

surgery. Shouldn’t

I last stepped foot in

it was tight at the edges. "One or two more days

gave a small shake of his head. "I need to go. I’ve left Oliver and mom handling everything long enough. Besides," he added, sipping his coffee, "I

you’re

gaze

which," he said after a beat, "have you heard anything from Ruby? After she left the

snapped up, her fork halfway to

shrugged. "Nothing.

narrowed her

chair, still calm. "Yeah. I mean, shouldn’t I be after the stunt she pulled yesterday? I just want to make sure she’s not going to cause any more