Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 148: Family

A few minutes later, after she freshened up and dressed, Ruby followed Stefan down the grand staircase, her heart pounding in her chest. The house was quiet except for the sound of birds outside and the faint rustle of the house staff moving about.

In the living room, Elizabeth Winters sat perched on one of the cream-colored armchairs, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She looked the same—elegant, poised, but this time, her eyes held a weight Ruby hadn’t seen before. A softness. Almost like a sadness.

When Elizabeth looked up and their eyes met, Ruby saw something else too—regret. Was she feeling regretful for betraying her? Could someone as tough as Elizabeth Winters ever admit that she was wrong?

All the while she’d been pretending to be Ivy and helping Stefan through business, Elizabeth had always made it seem like she was just an outsider and shouldn’t have a say in the business but looking at Elizabeth now, she didn’t have that fire or anything like it in them.

Her eyes were almost pleading, begging her for something her mouth was yet to say.

"Ruby," Elizabeth said softly, standing as they entered. "Thank you for agreeing to see me."

Ruby offered a polite nod, her heart thudding. "Good morning, Mrs. Winters."

"Please," Elizabeth murmured, her voice quiet, "call me Elizabeth."

Though that was what she’d been calling her while pretending to be Ivy, now that she was no longer pretending, it sort of felt odd to call her Elizabeth.

Perhaps it was because of how she’d treated her that day at the hospital hence making her feel so uncontrollable addressing her so casually, or perhaps because she was herself now. Whichever it was, Ruby knew she’d need some getting used to if she were to ever concede to addressing her so informally.

An awkward silence stretched before Elizabeth took a small step forward. "I wanted to say I’m sorry," she said, her voice trembling ever so slightly. "For everything. For the way I treated you. For the things I said. I was... I was wrong. So very wrong. And I—" she paused, swallowing visibly—"I’m grateful you came back. Despite everything. Despite all I said that day even when I should’ve had your back seeing as I was the reason for everything. I let my fear of not wanting Stefan to find out about my role in everything control me. I wronged you and your child. I know it wouldn’t be easy to forgive or trust me but I just... I still want to ask for your forgiveness. And to thank you for coming back to him. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me and give me the chance to be a better mother in-law to you."

Ruby’s throat tightened unexpectedly. She hadn’t known what to expect, but certainly not this. Elizabeth was being more than humble and it just made her speechless.

She glanced briefly at Stefan, who gave her the smallest encouraging nod, before she returned her gaze to Elizabeth. "I forgive you," she said quietly, sincerely. "I think we all make mistakes when we’re trying to protect the people we love. So, it’s nothing. You were only trying to protect your child. I don’t know but I might have made the same choice if I were in your shoes."

faintly with unshed tears as she gave a small, grateful nod. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank

things for a moment, and when it was time for them to eat, Elizabeth led them to the dinning table with so much delight, glad that everything was settled between

could get from her, Stefan and Ruby. Elizabeth thought, not bothering to count Regina or Ivy since

china filled the air as the three of them—Ruby,

had stepped into the Winters’ mansion

the first and only time she’d had dinner with Elizabeth

Stefan’s world, now smiled gently across the table, her expression softened, her once sharp edges smoothed by

back of her hand when no one was looking. Ruby felt the warmth of his touch settle deep inside her, a soft glow that seemed to light her from within. Having him see her every move

Ruby said softly, her eyes flickering toward Elizabeth. "It was

she’d been waiting, Elizabeth had joined the chef in the kitchen,

even more. "I thought it was the least I could do... after everything," she said, her voice carrying genuine sincerity. "Besides, I wanted us to sit together as

second. The word family felt foreign yet oddly comforting on Elizabeth’s tongue. It made

hers slightly under the table, as though he too felt the

down her teacup and turned her eyes toward Stefan. "You’ll have to be careful though," she said, her voice lowering slightly. "we may be at peace with having Ruby back now...

brows pulling together as she exchanged

don’t trust either of them," Elizabeth continued calmly, her voice firm. "I have a feeling they haven’t given up yet. You know your uncle is still bitter about the company... and Ivy? She’s her mother’s daughter through and through.

murmured. "I won’t let them near Ruby.

baby, Ruby’s hand instinctively pressed to her belly. She swallowed, her heart aching a little with the reminder of just how vulnerable they all still

her like her father did? It wasn’t her fault that he died. Was it? She thought, trying not to let those thoughts show

softly to Elizabeth, her voice calm but resolute. "And

worry you, Ruby. Just to keep you aware.

in Elizabeth’s voice—this wasn’t the cold, distant woman she’d known. This was... someone who cared. Not just for Stefan but, surprisingly, for her too. Or was

grandchild

Ruby murmured sincerely. "Really. I mean