THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Stefan took a small velvet box, that looks like a ring case, from Mose without a word. His expression was calm and commanding. He walked directly toward Mia, who watched him approach with a furrow in her brow, her expression a mixture of confusion and apprehension.

“What are you…..” She began, but her voice faded as he stopped before her.

Stefan gently took her left hand, his fingers brushing against hers with an unexpected tenderness that didn’t match his usually composed demeanor.

Her breath caught on her throat by their contact.

He slid a ring onto her finger. “This’ll make it all believable,” he said, his voice so smooth, but laced with casual indifference.

She looked at her fingers, her chest rose and fell slowly as the stone gleamed on them. It was exactly the way she loved it, this was what she would have chosen for herself if given the opportunity.

For a moment, her lips parted slightly, the illusion catching even her off guard. Then, she gave a soft, chuckle and tilted her head toward him. “Alright then,” she said, a smile tugging at her lips.

Elena watched them with shock written all over her face, but Mia next word was what broke the camel’s back.

“Let the show begin, husband.”

Elena had grown up with drama, she actually was the queen of drama, but this? This was jaw dropping, knee- buckling, plot-twist-of-the-century kind of shock. Air seems to freeze around her. 1

What? Her gaze darted between Mia and Stefan, but settled on Mia, a slight plea for explanation. The actual hell? “You don’t just drop a bomb like that and act like you just said the color of my dress, Mia”

Her voice pitched high, each word a spark threatening to ignite the powder keg inside her.

Mia turned towards her friend with a calm expression, already expecting the explosion “You’ll want to sit

down.”

“Sit down?” She scoffed, raising a brow and planting her hands on her hips. “Mia, forget sitting, I might need a sedative for this one. Are the both about playing couples or what?” she looked up at Mia when she heard her chuckle “spill it now bitch”

Behind them, Mose shifted awkwardly, clearly trying, and failing, not to eavesdrop. His gaze flickered between the two women, a hint of unease in his posture. Stefan stood silently, hands in his pockets, watching them like someone observing fight that’s about to erupt.

“I and Stefan are married” she said as if she were announcing a weather update.

The words hit like a sucker punch.

Her lips parted, and for a moment, no sound came. Then, in a strained whisper. “Huh? Come again” she said, her balance suddenly going. She had totally forgotten about the darn hills. Mia had insisted she wore them

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because they matched with her clothes. Now these hills were after her life.

She already prepared herself for the falling but it never happened. She noticed a strong arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her. She looked up and was surprised to see it was Mose.

“You okay?” he asked gently, his tone a sudden contrast to his usual stoicism. Elena’s breath caught from the nearness of him. She cleared her throat, fighting to regain composure. “hmmm…Y-yeah. I’m fine. Thanks.” She hated how breathless she sounded.

Mose stepped back, scratching his head and muttering something under his breath. His ears had turned red.

Stefan’s brow lifted slightly, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes, and Mia narrowed hers while watching the scene unfold, she fought the urge to smirk. But the glint in her eyes betrayed her amusement, there was something unspoken in the air. Something she’d have to revisit later.

Elena’s voice was quieter now, as if speaking too loudly might shatter whatever reality she was trying to grasp.” Let’s backtrack for a second. When… when did this happen?”

“Yesterday,” Mia said without flinching. Elena’s face drained of color.

“Yesterday?!” Mia gave a nod.

“Let me get this straight,” Elena said slowly, pointing a finger at her. “Just after your father disinherits you and names his illegitimate son heir… you go and marry his worst rival’s son?” There was a stretch of silence.

Then Mose muttered, “She’s smart…” All eyes snapped to him, his own widening as though he’d accidentally hit “send” on an unedited text.

“Did I-uh-say that out loud?”

Mia this time, she didn’t bother hiding her laugh. With a quick glance at Stefan’s lifted brow and Elena’s simmering exasperation, she turned back to her best friend. “I and Stefan both agreed on this. And yes I made the proposal. It’s a contract marriage, just to get to our father’s. We’ll be announcing just our engagement today, our marriage will stay hidden for now. The only people aware are just the four of us in this room” Mia explain slowly.

Elena scrutinized her friend, weighing every word. Slowly, a sly smirk crept across her face. “Alright. I’ll take that explanation… for now.”

Her emphasis hung in the air, a promise and a warning rolled into one.

Mia

gave

her a subtle nod, she understood the unspoken message. “This was far from over”

“So how exactly do you plan on announcing this engagement?” Elena asked, arms folded, one brow raised in suspicion.

Mia glanced at her wristwatch, her expression composed. “There’s a press conference in two hours. I’d have to counter what my dad said”

Elena blinked. “Just like that?”

Mia looked up, confused, and the others mirrored her expression. “What do you mean?”

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