Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 179 - 179: Rebuild

Rayna reached for the car keys just as the door opened.

Stefan and Ethan stepped in, their expressions grim—like men returning from battle.

Stefan's eyes immediately locked onto Ruby's red-rimmed ones, her tear-streaked face still frozen in quiet devastation.

Immediately, he stopped in his tracks.

"You… you already know," he said softly, regret written across his face.

Ruby nodded, her arms still wrapped around herself, her voice low. "Rayna told me. She showed me the article."

Stefan stepped forward, slowly, carefully, as if approaching a wounded bird. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you over the phone. I just… I wanted to be here. I didn't want you to be alone when you found out."

Ruby gave him a faint smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's okay. I understand. You were just trying to protect me."

He nodded, his jaw tightening. "I was. I still am."

"I just never thought Ivy could ever hurt our mom," she said as fresh tears slid down her cheek.

Stefan wrapped his arms around her and patted her head softly. "I'm so sorry, love."

For a moment, silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken grief as Ruby sobbed.

After she'd sobbed for a while, she pulled back and turned toward the others. "Let's go. I need to see her for the last time."

Ruby and the low

even more suffocating when various reporters had gathered around

detective Walter saw them, he signaled to his colleagues to help

corridor of the emergency wing, the sterile air hit her like a slap.

One

a nod, his face neutral but respectful. "Miss Quinn… I'm very sorry for your

small nod, her voice caught in her throat. She could barely hear her own heartbeat above the silence

she asked finally,

at the nurse beside

Ruby, Stefan, Ethan and

already cleaned and covered. Her skin had lost all its warmth. Her once perfectly styled black hair now lay flat against the pillow. She didn't look cruel or cold anymore. She looked… tired. Like someone who had

brought it to her lips. The sight of her mother like

at her and ask what she was

closer. Her knees gave out, and Stefan rushed to steady her before she hit the floor. She gripped the side of the bed, her tears

I hated so much about us… but I never wanted this. I

hovering over Regina's cold fingers before

She closed her eyes.

mind. It's not your fault. You're

her stomach—the tiny, barely noticeable bump that had yet to show. Her eyes fluttered open as her palm pressed softly over

do. I'll love them equally. I'll protect and discipline them when need be. And I'll teach them right from wrong. I'll be the mother I wished

more moments in silence, as if saying her

Stefan gently placed a hand on the small of her back for support. She leaned into it slightly, grateful for

once they