THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Mia adjusted her smile as she watched her father approach, flanked by his usual entourage. The crowd parted like waves, people stepping back just enough to witness what was surely about to unfold.

“Father,” she said with a voice so low and sugary it almost sounded like a whisper laced with poison. “Thanks for coming.”

Samuel Meyer gave a slow, smug smile. “Wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world.” Mia caught it instantly, the double edge to his words, Stefan did too. And so did Jeremiah Sterling, standing right beside them. All three knew the weight behind the sentence. This wasn’t a show of support, it was a power play, who’d get the best reaction out of the other. Who’d win in this game there all playing.

The whole hall had stilled, watching, waiting, for anything. Everyone was aware of the longstanding feud between the Sterlings and the Meyers, and very few had witnessed both men in the same room, let alone breathing the same air without their voices raised.

Jeremiah stepped forward, his eyes fixed coldly on Samuel, but he let out a smile that looks deadly. For a second, it looked like it might combust.

But Mia, ever the poised player in this unholy chess game, stepped into the moment. She moved in for a hug, the tension in her shoulders betraying her calm smile. She didn’t think he’d take it, he never did. But this time, Samuel returned it. And they all knew it was only because there were too many cameras watching.

When she pulled back, she shifted toward Cassandra, Ethan’s mother. Mia’s stomach twisted, but she didn’t let it show. She stepped forward, her lips stretching into a practiced smile. “Mom,” she said sweetly, “thank you for coming.”

Cassandra blinked, clearly not expecting that, but she recovered fast. “Of course, darling. You look… stunning.” Her smile was smooth, her voice fake-warm, and Mia matched it to perfection.

They embraced briefly, a hug too careful to mean anything, before Mia turned back and called out, clear and smooth. An intentional jab to her dad.

“Father-in-law.”

Jeremiah raised an eyebrow at her but offered a nod, leaning in just slightly, enough for the cameras to capture the illusion of family harmony. She then greeted Annabelle with a “Thanks for coming mom” she could see her dad’s reaction, even though he tried to hide it. But he had known him all his life, to know when he’s furious, and right now, he was dead furious. Just the right way she wants him to.

But while all eyes were focused on them, in the shadows near the far end of the hall, one of Samuel’s men was seen slipping into a dark corner. He leaned in close to a tall man in a black tuxedo. Their conversation was hushed, faces shadowed, too quiet to be heard, too brief to be understood.

Back in the hall, the tension finally began to loosen as the orchestra resumed its gentle music, guests sipping champagne again, pretending not to have witnessed a cold war.

Until a bold voice cut through the murmurs. “Has anyone even seen them kiss?” a woman asked loudly from the left side of the hall.

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The music didn’t just stop, it crashed. Murmurs followed, buzzing louder with each second. Heads turned, and the whispers spread like wildfire.

“Is this relationship even real?” another voice added.

Then came the chant, it started low.

“Kiss… kiss… kiss…”

It built quickly, playful, curious, daring.

“KISS. KISS. KISS.”

Mia froze, while Stefan’s eyes narrowed. They both knew who was behind something like that, they wanted the whole audience to doubt their relationship. They had to make a decision. Either they shatter the illusion or sell the story. 1

Stefan turned to Mia, his hand gently brushing her waist again. His eyes met hers, asking for permission, just once. And she gave him, she knew he wanted to see their fathers fail, just as she did, and she trusted him to deliver.

Then, without a word, Stefan lifted a glass he took from a passing waiter, the sound of it tapping lightly against his other hand cutting through the noise like a sharp command.

The room fell silent, and all eyes focused on him. For a moment, there was only the quiet hum of anticipation. Stefan’s gaze swept over the guests, meeting the expectant eyes, before he spoke. His voice was steady, strong and unflinching.

He took the mic, letting the silence stretch before speaking.

“I’m not a man of many words,” he began, his voice rich, quiet, but commanding enough to hush the room. ” I’ve always believed that actions carry more weight.” He paused.

“But tonight, I need words.” Mia’s chest tightened.

“I’ve heard what they say. That we shouldn’t be together. That this… is a mistake. That circumstances, bloodlines, and pasts are enough to keep us apart.” His gaze swept the room, unflinching, challenging, meeting his dad’s. He didn’t let it linger before focusing on Mia, like she’s the only one that mattered “But those are baseless opinions. This woman….” he turned to Mia, who was already blinking back something that stung in her eyes, “is mine. And no force, no name, no enemy will tear her from me.”

Mia could feel her heart raising, she knew it was all an act, but it didn’t help the million of horses doing racing inside her stomach.

Gasps whispered around the hall, Jeremiah’s jaw ticked, he felt like walking away. Samuel Meyer’s face darkened like a storm gathering behind glass, they most be joking to think he’d let them get married.

“For as long as we both breathe,” Stefan said, voice lower now, but firm like steel wrapped in silk, “I promise to protect her, to cherish her, to fight for her, even when she’s fighting me. I promise to make her laugh, even if she doesn’t want to smile. I promise to stand beside her, even when she stands alone. And I promise… to love her.”

His next words were quieter, spoken as he turned to Mia, looking only at her. Mose couldn’t believe his ears,

he

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knew it was all an act, but he still couldn’t help but ask what had come over his friend.

“I love you, Mia Sterling.” Then, without breaking her gaze, he dropped to one knee. 1

The room exhaled.

Mia stared down at him, eyes wide, lips parted. Her breath caught as he took her hand, gently removing the old ring that he had given her before. And in its place, he slid on a more bold diamond ring that gleamed like fire and ice, it was unapologetic, impossible to ignore. If the one he first gave her was beautiful, this right here was breathtaking. Exactly the way she loves it. And that moment she really wanted to drag him up, and kiss those lips that just gave the best speech she’s ever heard in her life.

The crowd murmured in awe, few others gasped. Some women sighed audibly, others glared, a pang of envy dancing across their powdered faces. Even some men looked impressed, and wanted to be in Stefans shoes.

Elena nudged Sienna with a satisfied grin. Sienna couldn’t stop smiling, her eyes shimmering with emotion she didn’t even know she had.

But Mia? She still stood frozen. Her thoughts were a mumbled wave. This was never part of the plan. The ring was too perfect, the words felt too sincere, the emotion in his eyes looked too raw. He almost let her self drown in the illusion that all this is real.

And her heart? It was racing. She didn’t even notice the tears until they slipped down her cheek, soft and silent.

She tried to wipe them quickly, but Stefan was already rising. Elena appeared beside her, discreet as ever, slipping a second ring into Mia’s palm and giving her a wink that screamed “Your turn.”

Mia swallowed hard, her fingers trembling around the mic. She took a shaky breath, lifted her chin, and began.

“I never expected this,” she said softly. “Not you. Not us.” The room listened attentively.

“I thought I knew what love looked like. But then you came along… quiet, distant, frustrating, cold even. But somehow, you saw me. You didn’t try to fix me. You let me be fire, and you didn’t run from the burn.” Stefan gave a small smile to her

She looked held his gaze, her voice steadier.

“You’ve surpassed everything I thought I wanted. And sometimes, I forget you’re human, because you love me in ways no human should know how to. You love like you were made just for me.”

A few guests laughed softly. Elena wiped her eyes, while sienna held her chest. Mose’s eyes were focused on Elena swallowing all her reactions, when a tear slipped, it took everything in him not to walk up to her and kiss those tears away.

Mia smiled gently. “But you are human. And you’re only soft for me.”

Laughter swept the crowd, light and warm, except from the ones who this show was really meant for. Samuel, Jeremiah, Cassandra, and Annabelle. All the fake family faces remained stone.

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