THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177

Margaret kept her mouth shut. She knew that look on Stefan’s face, the way his shoulders went tight when he was pissed off. After all these years, she’d figured out when to talk and when to stay quiet. Right now? Definitely time to keep quiet.

The car ride felt like it went on forever. Stefan gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles went white. His jaw was clenched tight as he ran through his mental checklist.

First thing – make sure Mia was okay. Everything else could wait.

When they got to the house, he barely let the car stop before he jumped out. He walked fast through the front door, heading straight for the living room where he figured Mia would be.

Instead, he found Ethan passed out cold on the leather couch.

Something twisted in his gut.

“Maria,” he called out to one of the staff. His voice had that edge to it that made everyone move faster. The older woman showed up right away, nervously smoothing down her apron.

“Take my mother and the doctor to the guest rooms. Make sure they’ve got what they need, and keep them together until I say otherwise.” He didn’t leave room for argument. Margaret and Dr. Harrison would have to wait. Every second mattered now.

The bedroom felt empty the second he walked in. The bed was still made, her book sitting open on the nightstand.

His stomach dropped.

He went back downstairs and shook Ethan’s shoulder hard. “Where’s your sister?”

Ethan’s eyes opened slowly. He looked confused, like he was trying to remember where he was. “She was… she was here.” His words came out thick and slow. “Just a few minutes ago.”

Stefan was already heading for the door when Ethan said something that made him stop dead.

“She brought me some juice. Said I looked tired and should take a nap.” Ethan sat up fast, his face going pale as it hit him. “Oh shit. Did she drug me?”

The horror in his voice told Stefan everything he needed to know. His wife, stubborn as hell and always trying to protect everyone, had gone off on her own. Again.

“I’m gonna find her,” Stefan said, his voice calm.

Ethan struggled to his feet, still shaking off whatever Mia had given him. “I’m coming with you. She’s pregnant, Stefan. What if something bad happens?”

Stefan pulled out his phone. Mia didn’t know about the tracking app he’d put on there months ago. At the time, it seemed like overkill, but now it felt like a lifesaver. His wife had a gift for finding trouble, especially when she thought she was helping someone.

The location popped up right away. Some address across town in a neighborhood he didn’t recognize.

They were backing out of the driveway when Elena and Mose pulled in. Stefan caught sight of Elena’s angry face through the car window.

1/3

THERE WAS NO

WAD NO WAY HERE LAOWA WAS AINT

Clearly, Mose had forced her to come back as he ordered. He’d deal with that later. Right now, nothing else. mattered except getting to Mia.

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Elena slammed her car door way harder than she needed to. Her heels clicked angrily on the driveway as she walked toward the house. Mose hurried to catch up behind her.

“Elena, wait. Look, I’m sorry, but Stefan made me bring you back. He was worried….”

She spun around, eyes flashing. “You already dragged me back here like I’m some kid who can’t take care of herself. Don’t bother explaining.”

The words came out harsher than she meant, but she was sick of everyone treating her like she was made of glass. She was a grown woman, not some delicate flower.

“Elena…”

The way he said her name made her freeze. There was something in his voice, something that reminded her of before, that made her heart skip.

When she turned back, she saw it clearly – he remembered. Everything.

For a second, they just stood there, the air between them felt heavy with all the things they’d never said, all the history they’d buried.

Then Mose shook his head, and the moment was gone.

“Nothing. It’s nothing.’

Elena looked at his face for another few seconds. She could see the struggle there, how he was trying to keep his distance.

Part of her wanted to push it, to have the conversation. But she knew better.

They’d both moved on. Built new lives. Some things were better left alone.

If you’re gonna be a coward about it, then we don’t have anything to talk about, she said quietly not caring if he heard her. Then she walked up the front steps without looking back.

The address took Stefan and Ethan to a regular ranch house in a quiet neighborhood.

Nothing about it looked dangerous, but Stefan’s gut was telling him something was wrong. What was Mia doing in a place like this? And why did she have to drug her own brother to get here?

They walked up to the front door carefully. He tried the handle – it was unlocked. That wasn’t good.

The inside looked normal. Clean but basic, with furniture that came from regular stores, not fancy places. It looked like someone was trying to blend in, to not stand out.

Then they heard it – quiet crying from somewhere in the house.

Stefan’s chest tightened when he recognized Mia’s voice. He found her in what looked like a small living room, curled up on a beige couch with tears running down her face. She looked so small and scared that his anger just disappeared.

2/3

THERE WAS NO WAY HER MON WAS UNVE

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