THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Everything felt heavy. Mia’s eyelids, her arms, even her thoughts seemed to move through thick honey. The first thing she noticed was the beeping. Steady, rhythmic, annoying. Then the smell hit her, that sharp, clean scent that screamed hospital.

She forced her eyes open, squinting against the harsh white light. The ceiling tiles above her had water stains, and she found herself counting them before she realized where she was. Hospital room. White walls. That terrible antiseptic smell.

“Make sure there’s no mistake.”

The voice was familiar, but different. Harder. Stefan stood by the window, his back to her, phone pressed to his ear. His shoulders were tense, and there was something in his tone she’d never heard before. Something cold.

“I don’t care what it costs. I want them all dealt with. No loose ends.”

Mia’s eyebrows shot up. Who was he talking to? And what did he mean by ‘dealt with’?

She tried to sit up, and the bed creaked. Stefan spun around so fast she thought he might trip. The phone was forgotten, dropped somewhere as he rushed to her side.

“Mia! Oh God, you’re awake.” His hands hovered over her like she was made of glass. “Are you okay? Does anything hurt? Should I call the doctor? Are you….”

“Stefan.” Her voice came out as a croak. “I’m fine.”

But she wasn’t thinking about the kiss or Sammy right now! she was looking at him. Really looking at him.

This wasn’t her husband. This wasn’t the Stefan Sterling who commanded boardrooms and made million-dollar deals as breakfast. This was a broken man wearing Stefan’s face.

His eyes were swollen and red. Not just tired-red, but the kind of red that came from crying. Hard crying. The kind that left you looking like you’d been in a fight. Dark circles surrounded them, so deep they looked like bruises. His hair, usually perfect, stuck up in different directions like he’d been running his hands through it for hours.

When he noticed her staring, his eyes dropped to the floor. Guilty, ashamed. He took a step back as if he wanted to create enough space between both of them.

“How long?” she asked.

“How long what?”

“How long have I been here?”

He swallowed hard. “Two days.”

Two days. She’s been unconscious for two whole days. She studied his face again, taking in every detail. “Have you slept?”

“That’s not important. What matters is….”

“Stefan.” She patted the bed beside her. “Sit.”

He looked at the space like it might bite him. “I should call the doctor. You just woke up, and….”

“Sit.”

Something in her voice must have reached him because he moved. But not like the confident man she’d married.

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He walked like someone had beaten him down, like

every step hurt.

“I’ll be right back,” he said suddenly, already backing toward the door. “I need to get the doctor.”

Before she could stop him, he was gone.

Mia lay there staring at the ceiling, her mind racing. Two days. What had happened in two days to turn Stefan into that shell of a man?

She didn’t like it one single bit, didn’t want to see ever see that defeated look on his face. Because it breaks her heart into a million pieces seeing someone as confident as im, look so dejected. And so…… unlike himself.

The door opened, and Stefan returned with a doctor. Dr. Martinez, according to his badge. He checked her vitals, asked about pain, shined a light in her eyes.

“You’re recovering well, Mrs. Sterling,” he said, making notes on his tablet. “The concussion seems to be healing nicely. You’ll need to take it easy for a few more days, but I don’t see any complications.”

“When can I go home?”

“Tomorrow, if you continue to improve.”

After he left, Stefan stood by the window like a statue. He wouldn’t look at her.

“How’s Ethan?” she asked.

“He’s fine.” Stefan’s voice was quiet. “He was here few hours ago, but you were unconscious.”

“I want to see him.”

“You need to rest.”

“I’m fine.”

“The doctor said….”

“I don’t care what the doctor said.” She tried to sit up straighter, but her ribs protested. “I want to see my brother.

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“Mia, please.” Stefan finally turned to look at her, and the pain in his eyes nearly broke her. “Just rest. I’ll take you to him. I promise.”

She wanted to argue, but her eyelids were getting heavy again. The medication, probably. She fought it, but sleep

won.

When she woke up, Elena was sitting in the chair beside her bed, scrolling through her phone. Stefan wasn’t in sight.

“Finally,” Elena said, looking up with a smile. “You’ve been out for hours.”

Mia looked around the room. “Where’s Stefan?”

“So I’m not enough, right? You need your husband. Should call him?” Elena grinned, but Mia could see the concern in her eyes.

“Elena.”

“I sent him home to shower and change. He looked like a ghost.” She put her phone down. “He hasn’t slept for days.”

Mia tried to laugh, but it came out as more of a snort, and pain shot through her ribs. She grabbed her side,

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groaning.

“Should I call the doctor?” Elena was on her feet instantly.

“No, I’m fine.” Mia waved her off. “Just sore.”

Elena sat back down, but her eyes stayed worried. “Mia, I need to tell you something.”

“What?”

“I saw Stefan cry.”

Mia blinked. “What?” She suspected it, but hearing her suspicions were true came with a feeling she couldn’t place.

“Two days ago. When you were brought in. I never believed Stefan was one to break down like that. I’ve never seen him lose control too like that. But two days ago, he was sobbing in the hallway. I didn’t just hear it, Mia. I saw it. With my two eyes.”

Mia’s heart clenched. Stefan didn’t cry. Ever. He’s always been a man who could completely control his emotions. Even during the first visit to his mom, he didn’t cry.

“He told me about the kiss,” Elena continued. “Said it was Sammy who kissed him, not the other way around. He just froze from shock, not because he wanted it.”

“Elena, I don’t want to….”

“No, listen to me.” She leaned forward. “He went crazy when he couldn’t find you. Came running to my office, explaining everything, begging me to help him call you. I’ve never seen him like that.”

Mia closed her eyes. “It doesn’t matter now. Even though she kissed him, he didn’t push her immediately. That is the only problem I have.”

“It does matter. Because Sammy confessed.”

Her eyes snapped open. “What?”

“She confessed everything. Said Annabelle sent her to seduce Stefan, to make you angry so you’ll walk away alone. They planned the kidnapping, everything. And Stefan…” Elena paused. “Stefan made sure they all paid for what they did.”

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