THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 114

Chapter 114

The moment the clock on the wall ticked to seven, Stefan closed the file in front of him. He hadn’t finished the work, not even close, but right now, work didn’t matter.

He was tired and fraustrated. Not from the long day, but from the silence Mia had wrapped herself in since the meeting. She hadn’t yelled, hadn’t accused, hadn’t even sail much, and somehow, that silence was worse than anything she could have said out loud.

He was done watching her keep him at a distance with polite smiles and clipped words like he was just another associate.

He glanced at her across the room.

She was still seated, flipping through a document like nothing was wrong. Like she hadn’t just watched another woman call herself his first love in front of a boardroom full of people.

Her face was calm, unreadable, but he knew Mia too well. She was hurt. She just refused to show it. And it was because of him. That was the most painful part of it all.

He stood and walked toward her, determined.

“Mia,” he said, as he stood beside her. Mia looked up from her seat, brow raised like she didn’t understand, but she did.

She knew exactly why he was standing there.

“Let’s wrap it up. We haven’t eaten anything real today. Les grab something on the way home.”

She lifted her gaze slowly, blinking up at him with that same quiet expression she’d been wearing since earlier. Her face didn’t give away anything. Just a cool, composed stillness.

She didn’t argue. Didn’t roll her eyes or ask where they were going. She simply placed the file into her bag and stood, her movements graceful and deliberate.

Then she gave him a small, polite smile. One of those clipped ones she knew he hated. The kind of smile you gave to a stranger, or worse, someone you were done being close to.

He didn’t comment. Just opened the door for her, letting her walk through first. The car ride was silent. She stared out the window most of the time, her fingers resting on her lap, calm as ever. But Stefan could feel it—that quiet wall she’d put between them. And he hated it.

He hated that she didn’t yell. Hated that she didn’t ask questions. Hated that she didn’t scream at him in the hallway of the office and demand answers. At least then he know how to respond. But this… this was worse.

He took her to a restaurant he knew she’ll love. It was a cozy place tucked in the corner of the city, low lights and soft music, meant for couples who needed space but also needed closeness.

It was the kind of place where you spoke about dreams, mage silent promises over wine, or shared little touches beneath the table.

But not tonight. No night, he didn’t even have the guts to touch her. He couldn’t help but feel pity for himself.

He, Stefan. No one would believe he was scared of his wife. It felt funny to him. But that was how he felt.

When Mia saw where they were, she nearly smiled-almost Then she looked at him, gave another one of those damn clipped smiles, and said thank you like she was speaking to her driver.

1/3

4 EVEN SHE ASKS FOR HIS LIFE, HELL GLADLY GIVE TO HER

He wanted to groan. But he didn’t want to annoy her more.

+25 Bonus

Dinner was brief. She ate in small bites, barely touched her drink, and didn’t say much. Every now and then, he’d catch her looking at him when she thought he wasn’t watching. And every time, she looked away the moment

their eyes met.

When they got home, Mia went straight to their bedroom. No words, no tension, just that same eerie quiet.

But Stefan could feel something was coming. She was too still. Too calm. It was like standing in the eye of a storm.

He was sure he’d missed the chance of receiving his ‘prize’ tonight. And that thought alone made him sad. He’d missed her touch a lot.

Then Mia did something that caught him completely off guard.

She started undressing. Slowly. Silently.

She removed her blazer first, then her heels, setting them aside neatly. Then her hands went to her earrings, her necklace, every accessory that once dressed up the powerful CEO the world had seen earlier today.

Now, piece by piece, she was shedding that image-becoming someone else. Someone that drove him completely

crazy.

And he just stood there. Watching her with interest, as she peeled off her dress, letting it fall to the floor without any shame, without even glancing at him.

Her back was to him, but she knew he was watching. She could feel his eyes on her. And she loved it.

Still, she said nothing.

There was no seduction in her movements. She acted like she did want to seduce him. Like, she had no intention or desire to tease him or make him ache.

This was power. Quiet, female power that she wrapped around her like silk and dared him to make sense of it.

And Stefan couldn’t move.

He’d seen Mia naked more times than he could count. But this…. this version of her….. was different. This was Mia…. making a statement without words.

As he stood there, every important part of his body had stood and was yearning for her.

She was gorgeous. A temptress that had gotten his heart and was now after his life.

But he didn’t care, he was willing to give her anything she wants. Even if she asks for his life, he’ll gladly give to her.

He felt like he was watching her walk away, even though she hadn’t taken a single step.

When she disappeared into the bathroom, he followed immediately, unable to stop himself.

He couldn’t take it anymore. He was ready to talk now. Ready to fix whatever wall had come between them.

But when he reached the door, he heard it.

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