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 temple as she remembered those last

moment she'd struggled to free herself from the bed as she watched the curtains

how she'd given up every ounce of hope she

throat dry. "Am I dreaming? Is this an afterlife? My imagination of what I'd hoped would happen?" she asked, still in doubt even

Stefan whispered, kissing her hand, unable to stop the sob that shook through him. "You're not dreaming, baby. You came back to me. I got to you in time,

for not leaving me. I don't know what I would've done,"

she studied him. Her eyes drifted to his bandaged hand. "You're hurt," she

the wound still

she frowned weakly. "You're not

the door opened quietly and Rayna slipped in with

him she was 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

talking and Stefan hadn't even bothered to let them

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

had seen on him in days. "Welcome back, Ruby," he said softly, his tone warm

Stefan would finally let himself get better," he said,

fine," Stefan said,

Stefan's been pretending he's fine just so he can sit here like a guard dog for

through her tears, nodding. "It's true. He hasn't slept. Barely eats. He's been impossible and now, he's

all at once. "You should rest up baby.

eyes shimmered. "Where else should I have been if not

eyes now — not from pain, but

she had given her heart to, from her best friend, and