Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 192 - 192: Heiress

Exactly a week later, the hospital doors opened wide, and Ruby stepped out into the sunlight for the first time since the fire.

The breeze carried the scent of fresh air, but it did little to ease the heaviness in her chest. She clutched Stefan's arm, leaning into his steady strength as though he were the only thing keeping her upright.

Her body was healing, but her heart… that was another matter. The loss of their child was a shadow that followed her everywhere.

There were moments when she caught herself touching her stomach, expecting to feel the flutter of happiness she always felt within — only for the pain of the truth she knew to crush her all over again.

Still, she was learning. Learning to breathe through the ache, to take each hour as it came. It was all she could do.

Stefan, Elizabeth, Rayna, and Ethan flanked her protectively as they made their way home. Their presence was a constant comfort, but it was Stefan's hand holding hers—warm, firm, and unyielding—that anchored her most.

When they reached Stefan's house, Ruby hesitated at the door. Something about the air felt… different. She knew it wasn't going to be the same again, but she'd try to live past the pain.

Sighing deeply, she followed Stefan's lead and stepped inside.

What she saw made her stop, her breath catching in her throat.

The living room in front of her wasn't the one she used to know. It was different.

The entire living room had been transformed. Candles lined the tables, their flames flickering softly. Rose petals were scattered across the floor like a carpet leading her deeper into the room. Strands of fairy lights twinkled overhead, and in the center, a small arch had been set up, draped with white fabric and flowers.

wasn't just rearranged. It was decorated. Her heart skipped when she saw that

her wide eyes landing on Stefan. "Stefan… what is this?" she asked, even though it

never would've expected

and the rest had told

smile. And

hitched, her heart thundering as tears welled instantly in

trembled at first, but quickly steadied

I was blind. I didn't know who you really were. I didn't know that the woman standing beside me wasn't the one I had thought I loved and married. Even when I regained my sight, I hadn't recognized you with my eyes. But when you left…" His voice broke slightly, his eyes glistening. "When you

her." His voice faltered, and he pressed a trembling hand over his chest. "But fate took her from us. And it made me realize something else: I don't want to waste another second not being your husband. I had wanted to propose to you earlier so we could get married in two weeks while you were still pregnant. But now, now, I have another reason. I don't just want to marry you because you became pregnant. I want to marry you because I can't live without you and I want to stand by your side as

— not just as the man you love, but as your husband. Let me mourn our child with

dropped into a raw whisper, full of devotion

streamed down Ruby's cheeks, her hand trembling as she covered her mouth. Her heart ached with grief, but it also soared with love. Stefan's voice has been filled with so much love that if an onlooker had heard him, they would've known that Stefan's love—the love he shared with Ruby—was real

"I thought you were already one with me. No one would jump into the fire for

know. But I want to make it legal and be sure it's not one-sided. And if it's not as I already know, I want the whole world to know you're mine, and

laughed softly through her tears, her chest tight with

Stefan asked with a smile, waiting to

whispered, her voice breaking with the raw emotion she was feeling. "Yes, I'll

onto her finger. Then, with a