Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 78: No Longer Blind

The guilt hit him like a wave. He hadn’t just hurt Ruby. He had crushed her. Turned his back on her after everything she had done for him. And now... now she was gone. Disappeared without a word. Carrying what was possibly his child.

Stefan stared at the floor, jaw clenched, as the realization set in deeper.

"I should’ve known," he muttered. "I should’ve seen it. The way she talked... the way she moved. It was never Ivy."

"I’m sorry, Mr. Winters," Doctor Sylvia said gently. "I don’t know what you’re talking about but I do know you have to stop blaming yourself and go fix it. Whatever it is."

He sat in silence for a long while, letting the weight of everything settle over him. The lies. The mistakes. The things left unsaid. Then slowly, he looked back up.

"I need to find her," he said. "No matter what it takes. I have to fix this. You’re right."

Doctor Sylvia nodded, standing as he rose to his feet. "That’s a good start."

"I’ll find her," Stefan said again, this time with more strength in his voice. "She didn’t deserve what I did. I was too busy chasing a ghost to realize the real thing was right there with me the whole time."

And with that, he turned and left the room, the scan now back in his pocket—but this time, it meant more than a piece of paper.

It was a sign. A second chance. And he wasn’t going to waste it again.

Stefan stepped out of the clinic with a heavy chest and a storm brewing in his heart.

The sun was high, people walking past him were smiling, talking, going about their day like everything was normal. But nothing felt normal to him anymore.

His footsteps were slow, like his body was moving but his mind was stuck—still at Doctor Sylvia’s office, replaying every word she said.

"Maybe she’s waiting to tell you the truth first."

"She said she’d tell you after revealing her biggest secret."

Maybe it wasn’t replying in the exact words or wording she’d said it, he knew those words were there and they haunted him.

His hands tightened around the steering wheel as he got into the car. Martin, who’d been waiting just outside, looked over with concern.

Though Stefan hadn’t looked sick this morning or when he was taking him to the clinic, but seeing him now, he

nodded once, eyes blank.

push further. He knew better. Stefan had a tone he used when he didn’t want to talk, and

his phone

sir?" her voice came through,

the rest of today," he said, already

"All your appointments?"

them." He said and hung up without waiting

looked startled as the car pulled out of the parking

road ahead, but his mind a thousand miles

in time. Back to the moment he first noticed the warmth in "Ivy’s" voice. Back to how different she had seemed. Softer. Kinder. More

her face. That was why she’d said she loved him. Maybe they’d done some sort of plan but then she’d fallen for him in

pain and guilt gnawing in his inside.

had pushed her away. He had told

to listen. To let her explain. And what

soon as he got home, he went upstairs and sat on the edge of the bed. The same bed she used to help him into. The same bed she used to place his hand on just so he’d know where the pillows even though he could actually find it himself. His fingers brushed the edge

said she wanted to tell you after revealing her

keep thinking about all of it. He needed to do something and he needed to do it now. He wouldn’t

start and right now, he wouldn’t spare an effort.

and dialed the number Ivy had given him when she

rang once then twice before

if she’d been expecting him to call. "Hi! Are

home," he said, voice

as she glanced at Eliana. Why was he sounding cold to her? Did

sounded cautious. "Is

need to

to keep her tone light.

sounding so cold abd serious? Just because he needed to

Did he buy something huge for her? Perhaps a car?

the urge to yell at her. He needed her to

tell me