Stefan walked down the hallway with Ruby by his side, his mind running in circles. The meeting had been a success, but the unease within him only deepened.
If it had been anyone else stepping in to assist him, he wouldn't have thought much of it. But Ivy—his Ivy—had never shown such confidence in business matters.
She had always let him take the lead, never questioning his authority or trying to involve herself in negotiations.
So why now? Was it because he was blind? His grip on his cane tightened slightly.
He kept his expression neutral as they walked toward the waiting car, his cane tapping lightly against the pavement.
Ruby walked beside him, maintaining a composed silence as she held him on his other arm.
"You seemed to enjoy yourself in that meeting," Stefan remarked, tilting his head slightly toward her.
Ruby let out a soft chuckle. "Not exactly. But I couldn't just sit there and let them doubt you."
His grip on the cane tightened slightly. 'You never did that before,' he said in his head but instead of voicing the thought, he merely nodded. "I appreciate it."
She opened the car door for him, and he slid into the seat smoothly. As she walked around to the other side, he leaned his head back against the headrest, thinking.
He had to be careful. Directly questioning her wouldn't get him anywhere—not yet. If his suspicions were right, then whoever was standing in for Ivy was extremely good at playing the role.
And if he was wrong… then maybe, just maybe, Ivy had changed in ways he hadn't expected. But that didn't sit right with him either. How could someone change so drastically?
As Ruby settled into the seat beside him, the driver started the engine.
"Straight home, sir?" the driver asked.
Stefan thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No. Take me back to the office first."
Ruby frowned. "The office? But we just finished at the company," she said and he nodded.
"I need to check on something." His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.
She didn't press him further. "Okay, I'll take you in—"
"No, love. Don't worry, you can wait here. I won't be long. Patrick will take me," he quickly cut in before she could finish.
Ruby hesitated. "Are you sure? I can come with you."
"No need. Just wait." His tone was final.
She nodded slowly. "Alright."
With that, he stepped out of the car, his cane tapping against the pavement as he and Patrick, the driver made their way back into the building.
Naomi looked up in surprise as Stefan entered. It wasn't unusual for him to stop by unexpectedly, but the way he walked—purposeful, almost calculating—made her straighten slightly.
"Mr. Winters," she greeted politely. "Did you forget something?" she asked with a frown.
Stefan approached the desk, his fingers resting lightly on the edge.
"No," he said smoothly. "I just need to ask you something."
Naomi frowned, wondering what it was that Stefan had to ask her that made him come back with Ivy. "Of course, sir."
He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "The woman I came with today…" He paused, tilting his head slightly as though considering. "That's Ivy, isn't it?"
Naomi blinked, caught off guard by the question.
"Yes, sir," she said immediately. "That's Mrs. Winters." Her voice was steady, without hesitation.
Why was he asking her that? Was he also experiencing the changes and was probably thinking it was someone else because of his blindness?
She probably would've doubted too if she hadn't seen that the woman was Ivy too. At least, she sounded and looked like Ivy.
Stefan nodded slowly. He could hear no lie in her voice. No hesitation. No indication that she was uncertain.
Yet, despite her confirmation, the feeling gnawed at him even more.
He couldn't explain it, but something wasn't right. He couldn't place it but he knew it, deep down within himself.
They exited the building, the warm afternoon breeze brushing against them.
As Ruby stepped ahead to open the car door for him, Stefan spoke again, his tone casual.
"By the way, did Ruby come to the wedding?" he asked, catching her off guard since she hadn't expected him to ask that.
Ruby's fingers froze on the door handle for just a fraction of a second.
It was enough to set off alarms in Stefan's head.
"I—uh…" She hesitated, but only briefly. "No. She had work. She couldn't make it."
Was he suspecting a switch already? What must have set off the alarm in his head?
Stefan hummed, tilting his head slightly. "Oh, I see. How is she, then? I hope she's coming to visit one of these days?"
Her fingers tightened on the handle, though her voice remained steady. "Yeah. She would, the moment she is chanced and can come."
A slow smirk tugged at the corner of Stefan's lips, though he kept his expression neutral.
Interesting. Very interesting. His wife had just lied to him and he didn't know why. Even though he was blind, he'd find out why soon enough.