THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 126

Chapter 126

This was the second day, and neither Elena nor Mose had woken up, though the doctor said they were recovering very well. All that was needed was for them to regain consciousness.

The VIP room had transformed into something resembling a command center. Mia and Stefan took turns going to work, but neither stayed away for long.

They’d set up a mini office in the spacious room, complete with laptops, important files, and a small table where they could spread out documents. The room was big enough to accommodate their needs, but more importantly, they didn’t trust anyone else to watch over their friends.

Stefan stood near the window, coffee cup in hand, watching the city wake up below. He’d barely slept in the past two days, his mind constantly racing with possibilities and scenarios.

Something was bothering him, gnawing at him like a persistent ache. The people behind the accident hadn’t come for them. They hadn’t made any demands, sent any messages, or even attempted another attack. For enemies seeking revenge or trying to send a message, their silence was deafening.

“You’re pacing again,” Mia observed from her position at Elena’s bedside. She’d been alternating between working on her laptop and checking on both patients every few minutes.

Stefan paused, realizing he’d been unconsciously wearing a path in the carpet. “I can’t shake this feeling.”

“What feeling?”

He set down his coffee and turned to face her. “I keep thinking about it. These people… they don’t feel like our usual enemies which are our fathers. They’d have used this as leverage somehow.”

Mia looked up from her laptop, her brow furrowed. “If they’re not our enemies, then who were they after?”

“They were after me.”

Both of them froze. The voice was weak but unmistakably alert. They stared at each other for a heartbeat before turning toward Mose’s bed.

He was sitting up, very much awake, watching them with sharp, focused eyes. The bandages around his head were stark white against his skin, and his left arm was in a sling, but his gaze was steady and aware.

“Mose!” Mia jumped up from her chair, nearly knocking over her laptop in the process. “How long have you been awake?”

“Long enough to hear you two trying to solve this puzzle without me.” He was already swinging his legs over the side of the bed, wincing slightly as he moved. “How many days have I been here?”

“Two days,” Mia replied, rushing to his side.

“Shit.” Without hesitation, he reached for the IV needle in his arm.

“What are you doing?” Mia gasped, reaching out to stop him.

“Do you want to kill yourself?” She grabbed his shoulders, trying to steady him as he yanked the needle free.

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126 HE MURDERED A SANTIAGO

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Stefan stood back, watching the scene unfold. He’d worked with Mose long enough to expect this exact reaction. The man had never been one to stay down, no matter how badly he was hurt.

“That…..” Mose pointed at the discarded IV tubing “….would only make me weaker. I need to be sharp right now, not doped up on whatever they’re pumping into me.”

Mia shot Stefan a desperate look, silently begging him to help convince Mose to get back in bed. Stefan just shrugged, knowing it would be futile.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. Stefan recognized that look, it was the same one she gave him when he tried to handle dangerous situations alone.

“Alright, alright,” Stefan sighed in defeat. “I think Mia’s right, Mose. You should take it easy.”

Mose gave him a ‘really?’ look, as if to say ‘are you seriously going to gang up on me right now?’

He then turned to Mia, who was giving him her own pointed stare that clearly communicated ‘who are you going to choose?’

Stefan found himself caught between them, looking back and forth like a spectator at a tennis match. These were two of the most stubborn people he’d ever known, and he was stuck in the middle.

Finally, he walked to Mia and kissed her forehead gently. “I think Mose knows what’s best for him,” he said softly.

Mia’s eyes widened in surprise and betrayal. “Are you supporting him?”

“What I’m saying is, Mose has survived worse than this. He’s been in more life-threatening situations and pulled through. He knows his own limits.”

“Are you saying this isn’t life-threatening?” Mia’s voice rose, emotion creeping in. “You saw him when they brought them in. We nearly lost them both. The doctors said it was touch and go for hours.”

Stefan pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. He could feel the tension in her body, the fear she’d been carrying for two days. “I know. I know you care about him. But I also know Mose wouldn’t put his life in danger unnecessarily. He knows too much is at stake, too many people depending on him. If he says he’s okay, then he really is.”

Mia looked over Stefan’s shoulder at Mose, who was watching her silently. There was something in his eyes, gratitude mixed with determination.

“She just cares about you,” Stefan said, nodding toward Mose encouragingly.

Mose rubbed his face with both hands, looking either exhausted or frustrated, Mia couldn’t tell which. When he spoke, his voice was softer than usual.

“I’m grateful that you care about me, Mia. More grateful than you know. But these people who did this, they’re dangerous in ways you can’t imagine. We can’t waste more time lying around. I’m the only one who knows them and their methods. You need me to get them before they strike again. Please.”

The room fell silent except for the quiet hum of medical equipment and the distant sounds of the hospital. Mia studied Mose’s face, searching for any sign that he was hiding pain or weakness.

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130 HI MURTERED A SANTIAGO

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Finally, she nodded slowly. “Only on one condition.”

Mose glanced between her and Stefan, who was already raising his hands in an ‘I don’t know’ gesture.

“What condition?”

“When all this is over, when these people are dealt with and everyone is safe, you’ll get proper rest. Real rest. Not just a few hours between crises.”

“Alright. I will. I promise.”

“Alright.” Mia agreed, and both men exhaled in relief. They knew if Mia had insisted he stay connected to the IV, there would be nothing Stefan could do to change her mind.

“Now,” Stefan said, settling into his chair, “you said you know who did it.”

Mose didn’t respond immediately. He only looked at Stefan with a meaningful expression that spoke volumes.

Mia raised an eyebrow, recognizing the look. “No. Don’t you dare.” They both turned to her. “I’m already in this. You can’t shut me out now. It’s never going to happen. We’re going to work this out together. They got my friend involved.”

At the mention of Elena, Mose’s gaze shifted to her bed. She looked peaceful, almost like she was simply sleeping, but the bandages around her head and the monitors attached to her told a different story.

“How is she?” he asked quietly.

“About time you asked,” Mia said, a hint of reproach in her voice.

Mose looked guilty. “I’m sorry, I just…. when I woke up and heard you two talking about enemies, my mind went straight to the threat. But I should have asked about her first.”

“She’s fine. The doctor said you’d both wake up soon. Since you’re awake, she should be too. Her injuries weren’t as severe as yours.”

Mose looked away from Elena and back to Stefan. Mia noticed the exchange but said nothing, filing the observation away for later.

“Say what you know,” Stefan said, gesturing toward Mia. “We don’t need to hide anything from her.”

“I don’t know exactly who’s behind this, but I’m sure it’s…” Mose paused, looking toward the chairs. “I think you both need to sit down for this.”

They both walked over to the small seating area near the window. Stefan and Mia sat on the couch while Mose took the chair across from them, moving carefully but with determination.

“I think it’s the Santiagos.”

The name hit the room like a physical blow. Mia’s eyes went wide, and Stefan’s jaw tightened.

“What?” Mia whispered.

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