Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 178 - 178: Regrets

"Ruby?" Rayna asked again, stepping closer when she noticed Ruby had zoned out. Her brow furrowed with concern as she took in the stunned, pale look on her friend's face. "What happened? Did they say anything? Why is it the police calling? Has she been arrested?"

Ruby blinked slowly, her thoughts still reeling, words forming like molasses in her mouth. "I don't know…" Her voice came out quiet, almost breathless. "The officer just said something happened to my mom. He said I needed to come to the hospital."

Rayna's eyes widened slightly. "Which hospital?"

"Zeden General." Ruby swallowed. "He said they're sending a car to pick me up." Her gaze drifted, unfocused. "Why didn't we see her when we were leaving there?"

"Maybe we had already left by then," Rayna said, shaking her head. "I don't know… but I'm going with you."

Ruby nodded numbly. "Okay. But I need to change first—I'm burning up in this dress." She tugged lightly at the floral chiffon gown clinging to her skin. "It's like it's suffocating me."

"No problem," Rayna replied, though there was a distinct note of worry behind her calm tone. She hesitated, clearly holding back something. "Just don't take too long. And let Stefan know you're heading out again."

Just then, Ruby's phone vibrated again in her hand. She glanced down and showed the screen to Rayna. "It's Stefan."

She picked up quickly. "Hey, babe, I was just about to call you."

"Babe?" Stefan's voice was low, steady—but there was an edge to it, a deliberate calm that sounded… wrong. "Where are you?"

"I'm home, but I'm about to head out again. I just got a call from a detective. He said my mom's at the hospital—Zeden General. I don't know what's going on yet."

There was a brief pause on the line. Ruby frowned, wondering why Stefan was silent and he'd been the one to call. Didn't he call her for something?

Ruby frowned. "Stefan?"

"Listen," he said finally, carefully. "Why don't you wait for me? I'm on my way. I want to take you there myself."

that. Focus on Daniel's family and make sure they're safe. Rayna abd I will check what's going on and I'll make

Daniel's family is safe now," Stefan said softly. "I just… I don't want you to

but… the

hint of urgency. "Let me take you,

his voice made her stomach twist. There was an undertone

coldness creeping down her spine. Why did it feel

be there in fifteen," he said, and the line

stared at the screen for a moment before lowering the

head snapped up.

wouldn't tell me anything over the phone. He just… wants to take me there himself," Ruby said and

listening. "Me too. I feel it too. Let's just wait. Go change and come back

hospital, run to her mother and find out what was going on—but another part… a darker part… feared what

she at the hospital? What could've happened or had she been there to try to kill Elizabeth or Eliana herself? She couldn't have done that or could

jeans, Rayna was still in the living room. But she wasn't pacing anymore. She stood

slowed her steps. "Hey,"

the moment their eyes met, Ruby's

it?" Ruby asked, voice

think I know why the police want you at

you

hesitated, her voice soft, deliberate—too soft. "Your mom… your mom

Ruby blinked once. "What?"

as she stretched out her phone to Ruby. "Ivy… Ivy did something. She's responsible." She handed Ruby the phone, her

the

register. Then suddenly, they did and the ground swayed underneath her

and the phone dropped