THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 122

Chapter 122

“If men can kneel to propose, why can’t they kneel to apologize when they’re wrong?” His voice was rough with

emotion.

She tried to make him stand, but he refused, staying on his knees like a penitent seeking absolution. “I’m sorry, Mia. I’m truly sorry for hurting you, for putting you in danger. You nearly died because of me. Even though I didn’t return the kiss, Sammy was able to kiss me because I didn’t draw the line clearly enough.”

“Stefan.” Her voice was soft, forgiving. “It’s okay. I should have trusted you the same way you did, when you witnessed I and Dave’s kiss on our wedding night. I shouldn’t have put myself in danger.” She looked at him with guilt.

“Come sit here,” she said, patting the mattress beside her.

This time, he did. The bed dipped under his weight, and she breathed in the familiar scent of his cologne mixed with something uniquely him, something that made her feel safe, protected, loved.

“I love you,” she said again, reaching for his hand. “Not because of what you did for me. Not because you protected me. I love you because you’re mine.”

“Mia… I” His voice broke on her name.

“Shh. Please let me talk” She said stopping him with her finger on his lips.

“I love you because you love me, because you believed in me when you didn’t have to. I know you love me and you would never do anything to hurt me. I know, and I trust you.”

“I love you, Mia.” The words came out quiet, reverent. “God help me, I love you so much it scares me.”

“Why does it scare you? Love shouldn’t scare you. It should give you strength. You give me strength.” She shifted closer, despite the protest from her ribs.

“Because I’ve never felt this way about anyone. Because I’d do anything for you. Because when I thought I’d lost you…” His voice broke completely. “I didn’t know how to breathe.”

She reached for his hand, and he let her take it, his fingers intertwining with hers like they were meant to fit together. “You didn’t lose me.”

“I could have. If Ethan hadn’t followed you…” He shook his head, the memory clearly tormenting him. “I can’t lose you, Mia. I won’t survive it.”

Mia filed away the information about Ethan for later. Right now, all that mattered was the broken man beside her, the man who’d moved heaven and earth to keep her safe.

“You won’t lose me.”

“How can you be sure?” His voice was low.

No one would believe that Stefan Sterling could ever speak this low with so much patient.

“Because I’m not going anywhere.” She squeezed his hand, felt him squeeze back. “I’m yours, Stefan.

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Completely.”

She moved to kiss him, but he pulled away. She raised a questioning brow, confused by the rejection.

“You’re still hurt,” he said seriously. “I don’t want to hurt you more.”

The laugh that escaped her was genuine, incredulous. “Are you being serious right now?”

“Completely.” His expression was so earnest, so concerned, that she laughed again, ignoring the sharp pain in her ribs. She was careful not to let him see her wince, if he did, she knew he’d refuse to kiss her for days.

For someone who runs a multi-million-dollar business, he was slow when it comes to matter of the heart.

“You won’t hurt me, Stefan. Your kiss is like a drug to me, it’ll only make me better.”

“Are you sure?” He asked with such gravity that she had to bite back another laugh.

“Positive.”

He stared at her for a long moment, as if memorizing her face. Then, slowly, carefully, he leaned down and kissed her. Not like the passionate kisses they’d shared before, this was different. Tender. Soft. Reverent. Like he was afraid she might break.

“I love you,” he whispered against her lips, the words a prayer, a promise, a vow.

“I love you too, Stefan.”

And for the first time since she’d woken up in this hospital bed, Mia felt whole.

……………

The morning sun filtered through the hospital blinds as Mia prepared for discharge. She’d been looking forward to this moment, since last night. She wanted to go home, sleep on her own bed, cuddle Stefan as they sleep.returnto some semblance of normalcy.

He thought being discharged would lessen Stefans’ fear, but what she hadn’t anticipated was Stefan’s complete transformation into an overprotective guardian.

“I can walk to the bathroom myself,” she protested as he hovered beside her wheelchair, his hand steady on her

shoulder.

“The doctor said to take it easy,” Stefan replied, his voice brooking no argument. “No unnecessary strain.”

“It’s five feet away.”

“Five feet too many.”

Mia had seen Stefan Sterling in many roles-the ruthless businessman, the passionate lover, the protective partner. But this version of him was entirely new. Gentle. Patient. Scared. So scared that she might break if he wasn’t careful enough.

Before leaving, she’d insisted on visiting Ethan. Stefan had wheeled her to the orthopedic ward, where she found her him propped up in bed, his leg elevated in a cast. Cassandra sat beside him, her expression carefully

neutral when Mia entered.

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“How are you feeling?” Mia asked, settling into the chair Stefan had positioned perfectly for her.

“Like I got hit by a truck,” Ethan managed a weak smile. “But still grateful to be alive.”

“About that,” Mia said, needing to understand. “Why were you following me?”

Ethan’s eyes flickered to Stefan, who stood protectively behind Mia’s chair. “I’d been wanting to talk to you. About us, about the family situation. But saw you getting into a taxi. I thought it might be easier to approach you outside the company than inside.”

“So you followed me all the way?”

“I was going to turn back,” he admitted. “But something felt wrong. Call it intuition…….,” he took a breath before continuing. “brotherly instinct, whatever. I just… I had to keep following. When I saw where you were going, I reached out to Stefan immediately.”

Mia felt Stefan’s hand tighten on her shoulder. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “For trusting your instincts.”

“I’m sorry about everything else,” Ethan said. “I never intended to show up and take everything from you, especially on your birthday. I’d like to try and be a sibling to you, if you’re willing.”

Mia looked at this man who’d saved her life, who’d risked his own safety because of a feeling. “I’d like that too.”

Cassandra remained silent throughout the exchange, but Mia caught her pointed looks. There was something there, disapproval, hate, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. Not today.

Now, two weeks later, Mia was beginning to understand the true meaning of Stefan’s protection. He’d turned their penthouse into a fortress of care, and she was his precious, fragile prisoner.

“I can feed myself,” she said for the hundredth time as Stefan approached with a spoon of soup.

“Your ribs are still healing,” he replied, settling beside her on the couch. “No reaching, no straining.”

“It’s soup, Stefan. Not weightlifting.”

But he was already bringing the spoon to her lips, his concentration absolute. She’d never seen him this focused on anything, not business deals, not board meetings, nothing. His entire world had narrowed to her wellbeing.

“This is ridiculous,” she muttered, but opened her mouth anyway.

“Humor me,” he said softly.

The bathtime routine was even more elaborate. Stefan had installed a shower chair, non-slip mats, and enough grab bars to stock a rehabilitation center. He insisted on helping her wash her hair, his fingers gentle as they massaged the shampoo.

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