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.

saw that rose petals had

on Stefan. "Stefan… what is

a proposal. One she never would've expected at a time like

she was still hurt about their losing their child, but Rayna and

looked at her and his lips curved into the faintest, nervous smile. And then, right there in front of her, he dropped down onto

breath hitched, her heart thundering as tears

trembled at first, but quickly steadied with the

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 left, I felt like a huge part of me had left, too. I had wondered what it was and why my heart ached watching you cry that day at the hospital until I finally understood. It was then that I realized I had never truly known what

thought possible. I spent weeks searching for you, desperate to find you. And when I finally did, I found not just you, but another little one on the way. A child we both loved before we even met 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,

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

voice dropped into a raw whisper, full of devotion

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

one with me. No one would jump

tears, shaking his head. "I know. But I want to make it legal and be sure it's not one-sided. And

tears, her chest

smile, waiting to

raw emotion she was feeling. "Yes,

escaped Stefan's throat as he slipped the diamond ring onto her finger. Then, with a grin that