THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27

“Mia!” Elena jumped from her chair, moving beside her. “Hey, hey, breathe!”

“I’m……I’m fine!” Mia waved her off, eyes still tearing, her heart pounding against her ribs from more than just the coughing fit.

“Elena was the one talking, so why are you the one choking on your drink?” Stefan asked in a nonchalant tone, Elena scoffed, while giving him a deadly stare, which he returned back. Mia didn’t even dare look up again, not when his gaze could undo her with just one look. They then continue their dinner in silence.

After dinner, Mia approached Stefan quietly and asked if Sienna could come over in the morning to help with the engagement preparations. To her surprise, he simply shrugged and walked away without making any fuss about it. It was unexpected. She had anticipated resistance, maybe even one of his usual cold remarks, but instead, he gave her a silent go-ahead, and that was that.

Relieved, Mia quickly called Sienna and informed her that she was welcome to come over the next day. She even invited her for breakfast, and Sienna agreed without hesitation. She and Sienna exchanged numbers when they were shopping.

As for Elena, she was taken to one of the guesthouses on the property. It was a practical decision, Mia and Elena had several things to organize first thing in the morning, and it would be too stressful for her friend to commute back and forth. Thankfully, Stefan didn’t seem to mind the arrangements. He had already made it clear that they were free to do things however Mia wanted. His only conditions were simple: they shouldn’t interfere with his work, and they shouldn’t involve his assistance. As long as those two rules were respected, he had no problem with whatever they planned.

With that understanding in place, preparations for the next day moved forward without further issue.

The next morning, Sienna arrived at the penthouse just as the sun peeked over the skyline. It was almost as if she hadn’t slept a wink, just counting the seconds until it was an acceptable time to show up. She was that eager.

She stepped into the living room and found Stefan and Mose seated, deep in conversation. Mia and Elena were nowhere in sight.

Nervousness tugged at her, and for a second, she contemplated waiting outside. But instead, she cleared her throat softly and greeted Stefan, her voice timid but polite. To her utter shock, he actually responded. A brief nod, a quiet “morning,” and then he turned away, cold, indifferent, yet oddly civil.

Sienna and Mose exchanged a glance, both clearly surprised by Stefan’s unexpected acknowledgment. But, he didn’t let the moment stretch. He immediately returned his focus to Mose, picking up their discussion as though nothing had interrupted them.

It was a small moment, but for Sienna, it felt like a crack in an otherwise impenetrable wall. She stood there not knowing how to ask about Mia and Elena.

After a brief pause in, his conversation with Mose, Stefan looked up again, this time directing his attention elsewhere, then called out to one of the maids. With his usual composed tone, he instructed her to take Sienna to where Mia and Elena were.

1/3

STEFAN THE EVER-UNBOTHERED GAVE A QUIET DIRECTIVE TO MOSE

+25 Bonus

He didn’t spare Sienna another glance. As soon as he gave the order, he turned right back to Mose, picking up their discussion without missing a beat, like the moment hadn’t even happened.

Sienna, still a little stunned, followed the maid without a word, her steps light but her thoughts racing.

The maid led Sienna through the sleek hallway, her heels clicking softly against the polished floors. She tried to calm her nerves, but her mind kept circling back to Stefan’s unexpected civility. It wasn’t friendliness, not even close, but it also wasn’t the ice-cold hostility she was used to for years now. And that was enough to keep her thoughts buzzing.

They reached a sunlit room where Mia and Elena were already deep in discussion, surrounded by color samples, checklists, and trays of snacks. Laughter spilled from the room, warm and chaotic.

As Sienna stepped in, Mia’s face lit up. “Finally! We thought you overslept.”

“Me? Never,” Sienna replied with a small smile. “I was up before the birds.”

Elena snorted. “I knew it. You’ve been itching to dive in.”

Mia reached out and pulled Sienna into the circle, placing a clipboard in her hand. “Good. Because we’ve got a mountain to climb before noon.”

Sienna relaxed almost instantly. This, laughter, purpose, light-hearted bickering, was more her pace. And for the first time in a long while, she felt like she was part of a family.

The room quickly turned into a hub of energy. Fabric swatches were tossed around and centerpiece designs debated.

Elena stood on a chair at one point, dramatically holding up two tablecloths for comparison. “This one screams elegance. The other one screams…I tried.”

Sienna giggled, her hands busy arranging miniature dessert samples. “Let’s not scream anything, let’s whisper class.”

Mia, flipping through her planner, looked over the list. “Florist confirmed. Catering done. DJ on standby. Photographer-”

“Photographer!” Elena shouted. “Mia, you forgot to confirm the photographer!”

Mia froze. Her eyes widened in horror as she stared at the unchecked box on her list. “Oh my God.”

Before panic could fully set in, Sienna raised her hand. “I have someone, he’s a friend from art school, and he’s insanely good and lives close.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” Mia breathed. “Please, please call him now.”

Sienna nodded, already pulling out her phone. And made the call, it was confirmed, he’ll be the photographer.

Just then, a firm knock sounded at the door before Mose pushed it open slightly, his expression neutral but polite.

“It’s time for breakfast,” he said, eyes moving between the three women. “Stefan said he doesn’t want delays.”

Elena raised a brow. “Does he ever?”

2/3

STEFAN THE EVER-UNBOTHERED GAVE A QUIFT DIRECTIVE TO MOSE

+25 Bonus

Mose ignored the comment. “The table’s set, I suggest you come down before he assumes you’ve lost your appetite.”

He gave a slight nod, then stepped back without waiting for a reply.

Mia glanced at Sienna and Elena. “Well, that’s our cue.”

Sienna gave a nervous chuckle. “I was wondering when someone would rescue us.”

Elena stood, brushing her hands on her jeans. “Let’s go. Before the king starts timing us.”

They followed the hallway in quiet understanding. There would be time for other things, but for now, breakfast, and Stefan’s silent judgment, awaited.

The breakfast was quiet, not awkward, not tense, just calm in a way that felt oddly comforting. For once, Sienna didn’t feel like an outsider. She didn’t speak much, but she didn’t have to. No harsh glances were thrown her way, no biting comments like he used to make. And though Stefan didn’t spare her even a passing look, the usual scowl etched on his face was absent.

That, in itself, was something. She let her fingers trace the edge of her glass, stealing glances around the table. Elena was focused on her plate, Mia was humming softly under her breath, and Mose, ever composed, ate in silence. It was nothing grand, yet for Sienna, it meant everything.

She knew this moment, this strange peace, wouldn’t have existed without Mia. And for that, she was quietly, deeply grateful.

The day moved with calculated precision. Every corner of the hotel was thoroughly checked, every flower arrangement examined, and every light tested. Mia and Elena ensured the decor was exactly how they envisioned it, elegant, understated, and warm. Sienna moved between them, assisting where she could, her energy light but purposeful. The staff followed instructions to the letter, knowing how much this event meant.

Even Stefan, the ever-unbothered, gave a quiet directive to Mose: “Make sure everything is how Mia wants it. Send some men to guard the venue.” It was subtle, almost dismissive, but Mose understood. Stefan wasn’t detached, he simply showed care in his own way.

The hall was set in one of the finest hotels in Manhattan, a luxurious yet tasteful venue that screamed class. After their final inspection, the ladies returned to the penthouse to prepare. Time slipped quickly, and while the men were ready in under thirty minutes, the women were still upstairs, unseen, unheard, locked away in their whirlwind of brushes, hairpins, fabrics, and last-minute touches.

Stefan checked his watch again. Twenty-five minutes left, he hates lateness. His brow creased, lips parted to complain, but the sharp sound of heels clicking on marble drew his attention. He raised his head, irritation laced in his breath, but the moment his gaze lifted, the words dissolved in his throat.