Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO-Chapter 72: Just Curious

Warm sunlight crept through the partially drawn curtains, casting golden streaks across the king-sized bed in Stefan’s room. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Stefan turned onto his side, blinking against the light. For a moment, everything felt calm. Too calm. He’d almost even forgotten he could see now since he’d almost gotten used to the blindness.

He sighed when his eyes adjusted to the light and he could feel Ivy beside him—her breathing soft and even. Her back was to him, the covers pulled up to her shoulder.

Last night had been strange despite the fact that she’d always been the one with him all these months or maybe not.

She had come to find him hours after disappearing into her old room, all sweet words and gentle touches, whispering apologies and saying she didn’t want to sleep alone. But her touch had felt foreign. Mechanical. As if she was trying too hard.

He shifted, resting his arm beneath his head, watching the back of her. Ivy—or whoever she truly was—had clung to him last night, whispering that she missed being close to him. That she had just been tired and overwhelmed. But even in that moment, Stefan had sensed something off.

How could she miss being close to him when they’ve always been together? Even in the hospital? Infact they’d been together the night before and she’d only left to go bath and change.

He watched as she stirred, slowly turning to face him, her eyes fluttering open. Her hair was tousled in a way that seemed too perfect, her smile too prepared.

"Good morning," she said, voice soft.

Stefan studied her, searching for something familiar in her features. "Morning," he said finally, his tone neutral.

She scooted closer, her hand tracing lazy circles across his chest. "Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough." He kept his eyes on her. "You?"

She nodded, burying her face against his shoulder. "It’s good to be back in your arms again."

He didn’t respond. His mind was already turning. He’d thought it was probably a mistake but now that she’d said it again, it was obvious it wasn’t.

"I’m feeling famished this morning. I should go bath and head down for breakfast. Not sure I can hold it in any longer," Stefan said and Ivy flashed him a smile.

"I should go see what they’re doing and then come get ready too so we can eat together," Ivy said but Stefan wasn’t listening to her.

A short while later, the aroma of sizzling eggs and warm cinnamon filled the dining room as Stefan took his seat at the head of the table.

Though his vision was still recovering, the light filtering through the curtains gave the room a pleasant glow. Ivy joined him moments later, wearing a soft yellow blouse and a pair of pearl earrings that caught the sunlight.

"I told them to make your favorite," she said with a smile as she took her seat beside him. "Figured you’d appreciate something familiar."

"Thanks," Stefan replied as he watched her sit. "That’s thoughtful."

One of the maids, a young woman named Elsie whom they hadn’t changed from the staffs, came over with a small bowl of freshly cut strawberries. "Sir, these are for your cereal," she said cheerfully, placing them before him.

Then she turned to Ivy. "And Ma’am, I made those mini apple pies you like. Just like the ones you asked for last month."

Immediately Ivy stiffened. Her spoon paused mid-air as she couldn’t help the irritation that rose through her.

The smile that had been on her face faltered for a second—just a second—but Stefan noticed.

"I didn’t—" she began sharply, her voice edged with irritation. "Why would you—" she was saying but then, she caught herself.

The maid she met last night had told her Ruby was nice around the house but with the staff and extra sweet with Stefan. She shouldn’t be yelling over nothing. She reminded herself as she kept quiet.

Ivy blinked and plastered a smile back on like she hadn’t been agitated a while ago. "I mean... that was very sweet of you, Elsie. I must’ve mentioned it before and forgotten. Thank you," she said already making up her mind to change every single person that had attended to Ruby in one way or the other in the house.

There was no way she could risk leaving anyone who’d start noticing changes in her appetite or food she liked or not.

Elsie unaware of the thoughts going on in Ivy’s head seemed surprised by the shift but quickly recovered since this wasn’t the first time Ivy’s character was surprising her.

"Of course, ma’am. I’m glad you’re feeling better." The maid turned and walked away, but the moment hung in the air like smoke.

Stefan didn’t say a word while he pretended not to listen to them.

He simply lifted a spoonful of cereal and chewed slowly, his expression unreadable but inside, something clicked.

As far as he knew, Ivy in the last six months never snapped at the staff for any reason even when one of them had assumed she was planning to run away.

His Ivy was warm, always the first to remember birthdays or ask after their families. She would have laughed and thanked Elsie, not bitten her head off over something so trivial. This... definitely wasn’t her. This wasn’t his Ivy and a lot of things were proving that to him lately.

Ivy shifted beside him, clearly trying to gauge whether he had noticed anything. "You’re awfully quiet this morning," she said lightly, reaching for her orange juice. "Thinking about work?"

"A little," Stefan said, tone casual.

She then tilted her head. "You’re not planning to go in today, are you?"

Stefan looked up from his plate. "Oh, I am."

She blinked. "But you just had your surgery. Shouldn’t you give yourself a few more days?"

"It’s been almost a month since I last stepped foot in the office," he replied calmly. "Things won’t wait forever."

She tried to smile, but it was tight at the edges. "One or two more days wouldn’t hurt, Stefan."

He gave a small shake of his head. "I need to go. I’ve left Oliver and mom handling everything long enough. Besides," he added, sipping his coffee, "I feel fine."

Ruby poked at her plate, clearly rethinking her next move. Then she said casually, "Well, if you’re going to work, I think I’ll go see Eliana today. We haven’t caught up in a while."

Stefan nodded, though his gaze didn’t quite meet hers.

"Speaking of which," he said after a beat, "have you heard anything from Ruby? After she left the hospital yesterday?"

The question landed like a stone between them and immediately Ivy’s head snapped up, her fork halfway to her mouth. "Why are you asking about her all of a sudden?" she asked shifting uncomfortably.

Stefan shrugged. "Nothing. Just curious."

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Curious?"

He leaned back in his chair, still calm. "Yeah. I mean, shouldn’t I be after the stunt she pulled yesterday? I just want to make sure she’s not going to cause any more trouble for me or us."

Ivy took a deep breath and nodded, her expression carefully controlled. "If that’s what you’re worried about, then I can assure you that she won’t."

Stefan’s brow rose slightly. "And how do you know that? Why are you so sure?"

"I just do," she replied too quickly. "She’s left Zeden. Took off after that scene in the hospital."

Stefan nodded slowly. "Is that so?"

"Yes," she said, her voice firmer this time. "She left. Probably back to wherever she came from. She’s out of our lives now."

He let her words sit for a moment, then offered a faint smile. "Good then."

The rest of breakfast passed with forced light conversation, though Stefan’s mind was turning behind his unreadable expression. Ivy kept stealing glances at him, trying to gauge his thoughts, but he gave her nothing.

After breakfast, Stefan stood. "I’ll head upstairs to change. Martin should be by the car now."

As he walked away, Ivy’s stomach churned. That one small mistake with the maid... it wasn’t much—but it was enough to put Stefan on alert. And judging by the way he had asked about Ruby, he was already beginning to wonder.

Too late to undo it now or was she just overthinking? He couldn’t have known anything, right? She mused as she watched him disappear from view.

After getting dressed and leaving the house, Martin was barely halfway down the road when Stefan’s brows furrowed. He tapped the edge of the car door absently, deep in thought.

"There’s something I forgot," he said quietly when he suddenly remembered a file he and Ruby had returned home a night before his accident.

Martin glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "Sir?"

"There’s a file. I brought it home just before..." Stefan paused, his fingers grazing the bandage near his temple. "Before the second accident. It was important. I need it today."

"Should I turn around?" Martin asked wanting to be sure he had heard properly.

Stefan nodded. "Yes. Let’s head back."

The car made a smooth U-turn, and within ten minutes, they were pulling into the driveway. Stefan didn’t wait for the car to come to a full stop before opening the door. He stepped out and walked briskly toward the house, something inside him suddenly restless.

He went straight to his study first. Papers were neatly arranged, books stacked the same way he left them. He opened the drawers, checked the lower cabinet, even lifted a few files he knew weren’t the one he needed—just in case. Nothing.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Then his gaze shifted toward the stairs. Maybe he left it in the bedroom, he thought as he headed upstairs.