Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 89: Perfect Plan

Ivy Winters or is it Quinn, paced the length of the grand living room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, lips pressed into a thin line.

The sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Winters Estate—Stefan’s house—but its warmth did nothing to ease the growing weight in her chest.

It was well into the afternoon. And still... no sign of Stefan. Not a word. Not a call. Not even a text.

Was he still mad at her and hell bent on finding Ruby wherever hole she’d crawled in? What was he doing now? Was he thinking of her or was determined to end their marriage?

If that were the case, he would have issued her divorce papers by now right? But he wasn’t doing that so what exactly did he want staying away from home this way?

He had left the night before, after that confrontation—after telling her to leave his house before he returned. His voice had been colder than she’d ever heard it. And yet, despite her mother’s warning not to leave the house on Stefan’s word, Ivy didn’t think staying was the right thing as much as leaving wasn’t either. What was she to do? Who would she obey and which one would favor her more?

Of course her mother’s advice, why would she think twice about it? Stating back would mean fighting got not just her marriage but also Stefan’s love and she was going to do just that. But why was she so scared?

He was probably at the office, she reasoned with herself for the hundredth time.

Still, her nerves were frayed. Her thoughts restless.

Stefan had never spoken to her that way. Not when they just met, not during the courtship, and certainly not since their so-called wedding. But last night... he hadn’t just been angry. He had been done.

She could feel it—see it in his eyes.

But she couldn’t let it end this way. She wouldn’t. Though she was scared of what he might do if he returned to the house to meet her, she knew she wasn’t going to leave. So what would it be?

Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she spun on her toes and walked back toward the windows, her fingers twisting around each other as her mind raced. Her mother had said it clearly: Get him to sleep with you. If she could just make that happen, everything else would fall into place. She could say she was pregnant too, spin a tale, make him feel bound to her.

But how? He was very mad and if she had forgotten that at any point in time, his absence and lack of call or text just reminded her that he wasn’t joking.

A frustrated sigh escaped her lips. Stefan barely acknowledged her presence anymore. She needed a subtle approach. Something clever. Something she could do to have him let his guard down. But would he ever let his guard down around her?

did she need to do something? What was it? She thought still pacing

Then it struck her—food.

ordered them or if maybe his secretary or Oliver offered him. He

they were dating, he’d talked about Noami bringing food and offering it to him because she

and tell her to help her without telling Steffy about her bringing the food. She thought with

prepared—and spike—then maybe she could make him vulnerable. Get closer. And she wouldn’t even need to be

him where it came from. She could say it was a special order from a new caterer or whatever excuse that

to herself, feeling the stirrings of control returning. Yes. That

above the mantel—2:17 PM. Past lunch already. She’d do it tomorrow, first thing. She’d make something, lace it lightly—nothing dangerous, just enough to

was in that state, maybe

plan, something that’d turn the strides in her favor. By the time he’d become sober again, she’d already gotten what she want. While her mother would try to make sure that bitch didn’t show up again,

out that perfect plan for tomorrow, she still wasn’t happy. There was still the problem of tonight. If Stefan returned and found

know what he’d do to her, she knew she wasn’t ready to risk that. Not

she do now? Moving out was not an option. She thought and a

move to the guest room. Yes, that was what she was going

was careful enough, she could sneak

gathering her belongings. Not everything—just enough to make it seem like she’d packed up and left. Enough to make Stefan let his guard down. The maids wouldn’t tell Stefan anything

stuffed in drawers, under the bed, in the closet. She grabbed her essentials and hurried down the hall to the guest bedroom,

shut behind her, she exhaled

from hunger. She’d need food for tonight and tomorrow morning—something simple, easy to hide in the guest room. She’d go to the kitchen, prepare a few things, and sneak back before

stepped into the hallway and turned toward the kitchen, she heard a familiar voice drifting through the

Ivy’s face lit up, her plan momentarily

sounding so bossy

a grin. "What are you

a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Since when do I need to call my best friend before visiting?" she asked lightly, coming over to kiss Ivy on both cheeks. "I was worried about you after you stormed

That’s... very kind

shrug. "So, what