Ruby sat quietly beside Stefan’s hospital bed, her eyes glued to the slow rise and fall of his chest.
Even though the doctors had said he would be fine, she couldn’t stop the tight feeling in her chest. It had been ten long days since the accident, and though he had finally woken up yesterday, she still couldn’t shake the fear that sothing might go wrong especially since, the day of the surgery had co.
She watched as the nurses ca in and gently started prepping him. The oxygen tubes, the IV lines, the machines—all of it made her heart pound. Stefan held her hand and gave it a light squeeze.
"You look more scared than ," he said with a weak smile.
She tried to smile back, but her lips trembled. "I am scared."
He ran his fingers lightly over her knuckles, trying to calm her. "I’ll be fine. I can feel it."
But Ruby didn’t feel it. Not completely. Her heart felt like it was tied in knots. Guilt was eating her up inside. She hadn’t told him the truth yet. That she wasn’t Ivy. That she was Ruby. That the baby growing inside her was theirs. Not just so lie or mistake—but theirs.
And now, he was going into surgery, and she hadn’t told him. She’d missed her chance when he woke up. She’d chickened out. She told herself he needed rest. That it wasn’t the right ti. But the truth was, she was scared. Scared of what he’d say. Scared he’d hate her for lying. Scared to spoil everything and not be with him during this period.
"I’m sorry," she whispered, brushing a hand over his forehead.
"For what?" he asked, his eyes searching her face, though still unable to see her.
"For everything," she said softly.
He chuckled weakly. "You worry too much."
Before she could say more, the doctors and nurses ca in to take him to the operating room. She held his hand for as long as they allowed, and then she was left standing there, staring at the empty space he had just been in.
Elizabeth ca to stand beside her. "Co, let’s sit. It’s going to take a while."
They sat in silence. Minutes felt like hours. Ruby clutched her hands in her lap, praying silently. "Please let him be okay," she whispered. "Let him co out fine. Let him see again."
Her fingers brushed over her belly. It wasn’t really showing yet, but she felt it. The life growing inside her. Stefan deserved to know. Not just about the baby, but about her. About everything.
After what felt like forever, the doctor finally ca out, removing his surgical cap with a tired but relieved smile.
"The surgery was successful," he said.
Ruby stood up quickly, her heart racing. "Really?"
He nodded. "Yes. We managed to repair the damage. His optic nerves have responded well. But we need to keep the bandages on for at least seven days. It’s important we give the eyes ti to adjust."
Elizabeth sighed in relief. "Thank God."
"He’ll need to stay here during that ti for observation," the doctor continued.
"Of course," Ruby said quickly. "We’ll stay. Whatever it takes."
As the doctor walked away, Ruby let out a long breath. He was going to see again. Really see. The world, the sky, everything. And her.
"Will you be fine on your own? I need to go bring cloths for you both and also see how things are going by at the office since it’s finally over," Elizabeth said and Ruby nodded even though she couldn’t understand why she’d be leaving instead of waiting to see her son.
After Elizabeth left and Stefan had been transferred back in his room, Ruby sat on the bench just outside Stefan’s room, her fingers curling around the hem of her top as she watched the nurses walk by.
The hospital hallway was quiet, except for the occasional beep of machines or muffled conversations behind closed doors. Her heart was still pounding, but for the first ti in days, it wasn’t from fear — it was relief.
The surgery was over and Stefan was going to see again and she’d have to tell him about who she truly is.
With a sigh, she took out her phone and dialed Rayna’s number. Her best friend picked up on the first ring.
"Ruby! Finally! I’ve been waiting all day for your call. How did it go?" Rayna asked, her voice tense with worry.
Ruby leaned her head against the cold wall and closed her eyes. "It went well," she said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "The doctor said it was successful. Stefan made it through, Ray."
Rayna let out a long breath on the other end. "Thank God. I was literally on edge here. So... does he rember anything? Has he said anything yet?"
Ruby shook her head, even though Rayna couldn’t see her. "He’s still groggy. They said it’ll take so ti for the anesthesia to completely wear off. But they didn’t remove the bandages today. They’ll do that in seven days."
"That’s great news," Rayna said. "You must be so relieved."
"I am." Ruby glanced down at her belly and exhaled slowly. "I was so scared sothing would go wrong. I just... I can’t explain it. Watching him going into that operating room, knowing he might co out of it seeing again... It felt like everything was changing, like I’m running out of ti."
Rayna was silent for a mont, then asked gently, "So... did you tell him?"
Ruby bit her lip. "No... I couldn’t. I wanted to. I really did. But it didn’t feel right. He was barely awake before the surgery. And now, he’s in recovery. I didn’t want to overwhelm him. He just woke up yesterday and after hearing him talk, I just..... couldn’t do it."
Rayna sighed. "Rubes... you know you can’t keep putting this off forever. The longer you wait, the harder it’ll be. He deserves to know. About you. About the baby. About everything."
"I know," Ruby whispered, tears threatening again. "I’ve thought about it every day. I’ve rehearsed it in my head so many tis. But every ti I get close, sothing pulls back. I don’t want to lose him, Ray. What if he hates for lying? What if he feels betrayed?"
Rayna’s voice softened. "Or what if he loves you even more for everything you did for him? You’ve been there for him in ways Ivy never could’ve been. And he has a right to know the truth — especially now. You owe him that."
"I’ve made up my mind," Ruby said, sitting up straighter. "I’ll tell him when the bandages co off. When he sees — really sees — I want it to be with the truth out in the open. No more lies. No more pretending. Just the truth."
Rayna paused, then said, "That’s all I needed to hear. I hope you do it this ti though."
A silence settled between them for a mont. Ruby wiped at the corner of her eye, feeling a mixture of fear and peace wash over her.
"Whatever happens," Rayna continued, "you’ve got . We’ll figure it out together, okay?"
"Okay," Ruby said, her voice quiet but firm. "Thank you, Ray."
She hung up and leaned her head back again, her heart full of emotions she didn’t know how to na — hope, fear, love... and the weight of the truth she could no longer run from.
Seven days. She had seven days to prepare for the mont everything would change. She told herself with a determined sigh. She had put it off for too long and she wouldn’t let herself chicken out anymore.
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