Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 96: I Have A Job For You

The morning silence in Ivy’s room was broken only by the ticking of the wall clock. She sat on her vanity stool, gently dabbing foundation onto her flawless skin, trying to distract herself from the building anxiety in her chest.

Ever since Stefan had dropped those bombshell comments the day before, Ivy hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that something was... unraveling. How could she when he had not even returned home once and his mother was also on Ruby’s side?

Her phone buzzed on the marble countertop. She picked it up to see it was Stefan.

She stared at the screen for a moment, her pulse instantly racing. He hadn’t called her in days—barely even acknowledged her since everything and just yesterday he’d said those disturbing words. She hurried to accept the call, eager and nervous all at once.

"Stefan?" Her voice was soft, almost tentative.

"I’m not going to waste time," came his voice, cold and steady like steel. "The lawyer will be bringing the divorce papers to you later today."

The words struck her like a slap across the face. Her breath hitched, the compact falling from her hand and shattering against the floor.

"W-What?" she whispered, her hand trembling. "Divorce?"

"I’m willing to compensate you with two million dollars," he said calmly, as if he were talking business and not ending a marriage. "So don’t make this more difficult than it needs to be."

Ivy’s mind spun out of control. Divorce? No, no, no. He couldn’t possibly mean it. He’s just angry... maybe all Eliana said got to him. Or maybe it’s temporary. Maybe he just needs space. He’s just emotional, vulnerable—it’s not over. It can’t be over.

But Stefan kept speaking, cutting through her spiraling thoughts.

"In case you’re wondering on what grounds," he continued coldly, "it’s on the grounds of deceit. That wedding certificate you’re so proud of throwing in my face? The one you flaunt like a trophy that we’re married? That alone is enough proof. Because the signature on it—it isn’t even yours."

Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. Her lips parted, desperate to argue, to defend herself, to say anything—but her mind was too chaotic to form the words.

"Think carefully, Ivy," Stefan warned, his voice like frost. "Sign those papers before I return. It’ll be easier for both of us."

And without waiting for her response, the call ended and the line went dead.

pale and wide-eyed. Her entire body trembled as the full weight of what had just happened hit her like

is leaving me? Just like that? Because

What had she said to him before she arrived? Had she been the one to talk about divorce to

loved her and couldn’t do without her. He was

over the stool as

to poison him against me. She’s

did Eliana hate her enough to do this to her?

She hadn’t done anything to her. Eliana had always been a backstabbing bitch. She had just been

Not after everything. Not after I kept up the act, protected our image. How dare he decide I’m not worth the lie anymore? I started this

but they didn’t fall. No, Ivy wasn’t going to cry. Not

eyes darkening

him try. But I won’t let

clothes aside as if looking for something—anything—to take control again. Her

was going down quietly... he was sorely mistaken. To think he’d even offered

Ivy stormed across the room and slammed the

walls were

Compensation. Like she was just some business deal he needed to

witch. She had something to do with this—she

was just being delusional, everything would change when he returned from wherever it is he went. She didn’t care. But he was hers and

other phone—a second line her mother insisted she use for more... delicate matters. From its sleek black screen stared a single

immediately her mother texted her the number the previous day. She’d sent the number along with those

you the number. Only call if you’re sure. Don’t

her

her reflection in the mirror shifting from panicked to icy calm. Then she tapped the screen and hit

rang once and then twice before

voice answered, gruff and to