Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 189 - 189: Am I Dreaming?

The hours crawled by, but Stefan didn't leave her side. He didn't dare. How could he, when he was scared of not being there when she opened her eyes especially now that he knew it could be any time soon.

He remained by her side, watching her. Every twitch of her hand, every subtle shift of her breathing. He remained there and he clung to her hand like it was proof she was fighting her way back to him.

Seconds turned into minutes and minutes into hours but he didn't care. At some point, sleep tried to claim him, but he resisted. What if she opened her eyes and he didn't see it because he was sleeping? He couldn't let that happen.

Soon, what he was waiting for, happened.

It was faint at first — the smallest flutter of her eyelids, a fragile movement that made his chest seize. Stefan sat up straighter, leaning close, his hand tightening around hers.

"Ruby?" His voice was low, trembling, filled with equal parts of hope and fear.

Her lashes flickered again. Her lips moved, a broken breath escaping past her dry, cracked lips. It was a groan, although faint but it was real.

Stefan's heart slammed in his chest. "Ruby, it's me. It's Stefan. Can you hear me?"

Her head shifted slightly on the pillow. This time, her eyes cracked open — just a bit, the harsh hospital light making her blink weakly. She winced, her brows furrowing as though the effort itself was painful.

Tears blurred Stefan's vision instantly as he watched her struggle to open her eyes. It's been six days and three days of being by her side. Three long, unbearable days — and finally, finally she was looking at him.

"Stefan…" Her voice was hoarse, fragile like brittle glass, but it was her voice.

He bent closer, his forehead nearly touching hers, his uninjured hand cupping her face as if to anchor her. "I'm here, Ruby. You're finally awake. God, I've been waiting for you. You're back to me. You're really awake."

from the corner of her eye, trailing down her

herself from the bed as she watched the curtains

she'd given up every ounce of hope she had when Ivy had locked the door

She swallowed, her throat dry. "Am I dreaming? Is this an afterlife? My imagination of what I'd hoped would happen?" she asked, still in doubt even though a part of her could strongly feel it was

him. "You're not dreaming, baby. You came back to me. I got to you in

me, baby. Thank you for not leaving me. I

to his bandaged hand. "You're hurt,"

his head quickly, brushing it off even though the wound still throbbed. "It's nothing. I'm fine. Don't worry about

weakly. "You're not

the door opened quietly and Rayna slipped in

going home to bath and bring him food since Elizabeth had returned home to rest since she was feeling weak but when they saw the sight before then,

talking and Stefan

filled her eyes. She rushed to the bedside, her hands trembling as she touched her best friend's arm. "Oh my God… you're awake.

real smile Stefan had seen on him in days. "Welcome back, Ruby,"

you're awake now. At least Stefan would finally let himself get better," he said, clapping Stefan's

Stefan

he's fine just so he can

true. He hasn't slept. Barely eats. He's been impossible and now, he's claiming to

curved faintly into a tired smile as she looked at Stefan, her heart aching and warming all at once. "You

with his eyebrows raised, his voice firm, though his eyes shimmered. "Where else should I have been if not by

pricking her own eyes now — not from pain, but from the overwhelming love she felt in

best friend, and from