Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 173 - 173: I Want Answers

The morning sun bathed the Winters estate's living room in a warm golden hue, casting soft glimmers across the glass coffee table and ivory walls. It was one of those slow Wednesdays where time moved at a gentler pace, and the air carried an undercurrent of anticipation.

Stefan sat on the couch with a subtle smile playing on his lips. His fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest, betraying his calm demeanor.

Last night had been unplanned but had been quite eventful and satisfying but he wasn't going to stay stuck on it. He had other things—important things—to think about.

Across from him, Ethan lounged with one leg crossed over the other, sipping from a tall glass of juice while Rayna leaned against the arm of the couch, curled up in a soft cashmere throw with a mug of coffee in hand.

"So," Rayna said, breaking the comfortable silence. "Let's go over this again. Dress delivered. Proposal song confirmed. Lights, stage, flower arrangements—done. Are you sure you want to don't want to do this during a company's anniversary dinner or some event?"

Stefan shook his head, his tone resolute. "No. I don't want that and even if I do, I can't wait that long. I just want not to see this coming at all and since it's a private dinner date, she definitely wouldn't expect it."

Ethan gave a short laugh. "You're a bold man, I'll give you that. Public proposals are either a hit or a complete disaster. Good thing you're not thinking of that. I don't think I'll want that either."

Rayna grinned. "Well, you might not want one but I do. I just love public proposals. They excite me," she said and Ethan raised a brow.

"Really? I didn't think you'd do—"

"Can you both not make it about yourself, please? We're planning my proposal," Stefan cut in, and Ethan chuckled.

"Yeah. So, what else?" he asked.

Stefan smiled fondly as he leaned back in his chair.

"So I'm not just giving her a ring on Sunday. I'm also giving her the key to her new workspace, too. I want her to feel like everything in her life is finally falling into place. The key to her work. And hopefully, the key to my heart too."

Rayna blinked, her heart aching a little from the sincerity in his voice. "Stefan…"

"I want her to feel chosen," he continued, his tone soft but sure. "After everything she's gone through, she deserves something real. I want that memory to be hers forever. Something she didn't have to fake."

Rayna leaned forward slightly, her hand covering her heart. "You're going to make her cry. And me too."

Ethan grinned, nudging her gently. "You're lucky I'm not the jealous type. But damn, man. That's beautiful."

Stefan gave a modest shrug, but the weight behind his words lingered in the air. "I had the ring custom-made. Simple, elegant, like her. I just can't wait for Sunday when I'll walk her into the workspace, hand her the key, then take her to the restaurant and propose. That's where you both would be waiting for us. The four of us and the moment."

Rayna smiled warmly. "She won't hesitate to say yes with everything you want to do. Even without making it so special, she still woukd say yes."

flicker of uncertainty crossed Stefan's face, but he nodded slowly. "I hope so. I

with everything going on,

a moment, sipping drinks and letting the comfort of shared

the way her eyes would widen, the tremble in her voice when she would say yes. He'd held on to this hope, this secret, for weeks and soon he'd be a few steps

buzzed

was sharp, cutting through the calm. Stefan glanced at the screen, expecting a text from his assistant

would Elizabeth's guard be calling

up immediately.

was fast, urgent. "Mr. Winters. It's about your mother. She's been hurt.

dropped. "What? What happened? Where's

you don't have to be so scared. I called to let you know the situation of

What happened?!" Stefan's voice cracked, panic lacing every

She was… attacked. Or at least pushed while trying to protect Eliana. She hit her head

barked, the line going dead almost

on Stefan's face, stood immediately. "What is

his phone. "It's

was already on his

know," Stefan cut in. "She was protecting Eliana. Someone tried to get

gasped. "Oh

tell Ruby anything yet. I don't want her panicking. Not until we know what's going on and my mother's

quickly, her eyes glassy with

and bolted through the front door, Ethan grabbing his car keys and

babe," Rayna called after Ethan and he gave her

into

One moment, they had been talking about proposals, keys, and happy endings. The next… everything

drifted to the neatly wrapped box on the side table—the one holding the dress Stefan had picked for Ruby. The one she was supposed to wear in four days, on what was

formed in Rayna's

Elizabeth known to be there in time? It was barely seven so how had Elizabeth

not even realizing a

hope she's okay," she whispered, her

car, Stefan gripped the wheel so tightly that his knuckles had gone white. Ethan sat

His mother who had orchestrated the impossible—had protected him from heartbreak, from shame, from the scandal Ivy had left in her wake. The same woman who'd insisted Ruby take Ivy's place to preserve

She didn't deserve this.

after her specifically? Why now? It has to be