Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 85: Nothing More

Before she could finish, the line went dead. Ivy had hung up unable to hear Elizabeth carry on about Ruby.

Elizabeth stared at the phone, disbelief quickly morphing into fury. "Unbelievable," she hissed under her breath, slamming the phone down on the table.

So that’s how it’s going to be?

She stood still for a moment, heart racing, eyes narrowed. Regina. She’d be next.

Elizabeth squared her shoulders and reached for her coat. She wasn’t going to wait for the truth to find her anymore. She was going to hunt it down, dig it out, and bring her son back the one thing he truly loved.

Ruby Quinn—and the child she carried.

No more lies. No more games and if Regina or Ivy tried to get in her way again, this time, they’d feel the full weight of a Winters mother’s wrath.

Elizabeth didn’t wait for a driver. She got into her car, hands gripping the wheel with a tension that mirrored her soul. The engine roared to life, but it didn’t drown the noise in her head.

Ruby, the girl she’d betrayed was pregnant. Her son was heartbroken. And somewhere in between, two women who should’ve protected Ruby had driven her away instead. She could understand why she’d easily been able to betray her but them? It was hard to tell why.

The cold morning wind whipped through the cracked window as she sped across Zeden’s streets. For the first time in what seemed like ages, Elizabeth Winters wasn’t operating behind polite smiles or veiled intentions. She was a woman on a mission, and that mission had a name—Ruby Quinn. To find her, and restore her relationship with her son.

She arrived at Regina Quinn’s home fifteen minutes later, barely giving the house a glance before she was striding up the front steps. Her coat flared around her like a cloak of war. Without hesitation, she rang the bell and waited, jaw clenched tight.

The door opened after a moment, and Regina appeared, wrapped in a silk robe, eyes puffy from sleep—or guilt or maybe both.

"Elizabeth?" Regina blinked. "It’s barely nine. What on earth—"

"I need to speak with you," Elizabeth said flatly, pushing past her into the house without waiting for an invitation.

closed the door behind her, frowning. "This early? What’s going on?" she asked even though she knew this

to face her. "Where is

with Stefan finding out the truth but why would she be asking about Ruby

my son’s child. And she’s missing. Did you send her away? Threaten her?

her? To do what? "Pregnant? Ruby’s...? No, that can’t be. She never told me

her eyes, searching Regina’s face for even a flicker of deception. But all

really didn’t know?" Elizabeth asked,

said firmly, shaking her head and

don’t? Just quit the pretense already. I hate it," Elizabeth

We haven’t spoken since... since that day. I have no idea where she

you chose your runaway daughter over the one who stayed? Over the one who sacrificed everything for your family," Elizabeth said with an eye

flashed with anger at that. "Don’t you dare lecture me about sacrifice. You created this whole mess, Elizabeth. If anyone’s to

I did what I did because I thought I was

were trying to preserve your perfect image. Stefan’s perfect marriage. That’s all it ever was with you—control,

I did it out of love!" Elizabeth snapped. "At least I believed I was saving my son from heartbreak. What about you? What was your excuse when you discarded Ruby like she was nothing? She put her entire life on the line for your family—for Ivy—and

draining from her face, she opened her mouth to speak

words sliced like a blade as she continued. "She walked into that marriage to protect your reputation. Your business.

what did you do? Remind me please," Regina

Stefan. I saw it. Every single day. She loved him even when he was broken. Even when he didn’t know who he was loving. And you—you made her believe she wasn’t worthy of it. And I just had to stupidly follow you both thinking it was for my son. I never should have followed you both in your stupid plan but I was scared," Elizabeth said weakly, tears gathering in her eyes. "I was scared of what people would say if they found out or if Stefan found out. I was scared of what would happen if Stefan’s wedding collapsed in public. I didn’t think Ruby would... would stay and fall in love. I didn’t think she’d matter. And

face twisted. "I didn’t know. I swear I

out anyway," Elizabeth said with a bitter laugh. "You pushed her out and told yourself it was for the best. You never once considered what Ruby wanted. What she

be better off away from this madness," Regina whispered, wrapping her arms around herself like she was trying to

she’s scared. And if anything happens to her, to that baby,

onto the couch, stunned

moment, watching her. Then she took a