Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 121: Beginning Of Her End

Stefan sat on the small balcony of his room in Ethan’s house, the warm coastal breeze brushing against his skin as the soft sound of ocean waves echoed in the distance. He had barely touched his breakfast. The eggs had gone cold, and the toast felt like cardboard in his mouth.

He wasn’t sure why, but something felt...off. His heart felt heavy. He naturally would’ve thought it was what happened with Ruby the previous day but he could swear it wasn’t.

It was a strange kind of restlessness stirred in his chest. He had spent the last two days thinking solely about Ruby, trying to keep his mind away from Zeden, from Ivy and from the memories that refused to leave him alone.

He rubbed his temple, trying to focus, but a nagging feeling kept tugging at him. What could it be? Or was Ruby in trouble? Should he go and check in with her even if she might likely throw him away again?

He was still contemplating on that when his phone vibrated.

One glance at the screen made his brows draw together.

News Update: Socialite and Business Tycoon’s Wife, Ivy Winters Suspected in Friend’s Accident – ’Sweet Dreams, Darling,’ Witness Claims

Stefan’s hand stilled. He stared at the notification without moving. His heartbeat began to pick up. His thumb hovered over the screen before he tapped it, the article loading faster than he thought possible.

His chest tightened as he read the words. Again. And then again.

It felt surreal. Like a scene from a bad drama. What was this? Just a few days away from Zeden and this was already happening?

Ivy hurt Eliana? This has to be a joke. Perhaps, a joke of the century.

"What the hell..." he whispered under his breath, already reaching for his phone.

"Ethan!" he called out toward the house hallway.

A moment later, Ethan walked in, still buttoning his shirt. "Yeah? What’s up?"

"Have you seen the news?" Stefan asked, his voice low but urgent.

Ethan blinked. "What news?"

How could he know about the news when he had been thinking of Rayna all night, unable to sleep while wondering how hurt she must be or if he should disregard all he’d told Stefan and actively pursue her to apologize?

Ivy. Check the headlines. Now," he said, bringing Ethan’s

take long for him to find what Stefan was talking about. Within

I mean... I know Ivy’s a little, well—crazy. But this? I don’t know,

didn’t answer right away. His face had gone unreadable. Cold. If it were before, perhaps, he would’ve vouched for her

and could also betray someone that shared the same womb with her, someone that loved her enough to clean up after her,

watched him closely and seeing the coldness in his eyes, he asked, "You

few days since I regained my sight....." He let out a breath, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "She’s unpredictable. Manipulative. Maybe even dangerous. That’s

troubled. "So, you really believe she’s

want to believe it," Stefan said slowly. "But I can’t ignore the signs anymore. I should be more worried

heard anything yet. No

severally the previous day and he’d called back but she hadn’t

the thought that if Ivy had something to do with Eliana’s accident... if she was as dangerous as these articles claimed... then his mother might be in trouble. Perhaps he should find reliable and strong men to guide her until he

call my mom," Stefan

think she

anyone does, it’s her," Stefan replied as he pressed the call

rang only once

breathless.

but you wouldn’t pick up either," Stefan said,

pause on the other end of the line before

"I didn’t know how to tell you. I wasn’t sure how much you could handle right now, but yes. It’s true. I heard everything, Stefan. Ivy... she hurt

do

on Eliana... and then I saw

I heard her talking. To Eliana.

taste filled his mouth. "Why didn’t you call security? Or report her

the whole story so I did something else," Elizabeth said after a beat. "I told the media. It would be hard to lie her

Stefan’s voice rose. "Mom, are you out of your mind? Ivy is dangerous! What if

and for all. I figured if the media got involved, she’d be forced to leave. Or

"So, she hasn’t

about it and was hiding to stall for time. But then I saw her at the hospital. That’s when I realized she was still lurking around—still trying to control

in his chair, the tension settling deep

could do that to her