THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Elena licked the last trace of frosting from her thumb, pushing her empty plate aside with a satisfied sigh. While, Mia leaned back in her seat, sipping from her glass of water, her eyes deliberately avoiding the two men still hovering quietly nearby.

Stefan sat on the arm of the couch, scrolling aimlessly through his phone, while Mose leaned beside the wall, eyeing the women with a tilt of disbelief.

“They’re really not talking to us,” Mose murmured under his breath.

“Apparently not,” Stefan replied, not lifting his gaze.

Inside the dining room, Mia stood and brushed imaginary crumbs from her simple cream blouse. “I need to get out,” she said, more to herself than to Elena. “Shopping usually helps.”

Elena’s face lit up. “Let’s do it, should we call Sienna?”

Mia nodded, “Sure.” Elena grabbed her phone and dialed Sienna’s number.

“Hey, Sienna,” she said once the call connected. “Mia and I are going out to shop, you

in?”

On the other end, Sienna’s voice was warm but regretful. “I’d love to, but I’ve got something to take care of. I’ll join you guys later if I can.”

Elena ended the call and looked over at Mia. “She’s busy, but might catch up later.”

“No problem,” Mia replied, already turning toward her room. “Let’s go get ready then.” Without another word, each woman disappeared into her room.

Twenty minutes later, the front door creaked softly. Mia and Elena stepped out, both putting on something simple. Mia wore a gray gown that stopped below her knees, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. While, Elena wore a short skirt with a green crop top, her bag slung over one shoulder.

They didn’t say goodbye, didn’t even look toward the living room when they walked out.

Mose exhaled a low whistle. “Wow, that was cold.Did you see that?” he muttered.

Stefan didn’t lift his head from the laptop. “See what?”

“They walked right past us. Like we were invisible.”

“That’s because we are invisible,” Stefan deadpanned. “Now, when does the meeting start?”

Mose blinked, thrown off by the abrupt subject change. “Uh… one hour.”

“Then go prep for it,” Stefan said with a wave of his hand, ending the conversation like a boss dismissing his assistant, which, in truth, he was.

Mose muttered under his breath, walking off toward his laptop. “You just don’t want to talk about how Mia’s been giving you the silent treatment like you’re her landlord, not her husband…”

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36 WHAI MIA AND THAVE IS A CONTRACT A PUSINESS ARRABOEMENE NOTHING MORE

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Elena and Mia stepped out of a chic boutique, their hands full of pastel-colored shopping bags. The sun was beginning to set, soft rays spilled over the skyline.

It had been a successful shopping spree, the kind that offered momentary distraction, even if the ache behind their composed expressions hadn’t fully disappeared.

Mia popped open the trunk of her car, she and Elena loaded in their bags, the smell of fresh leather and designer paper lingering in the air.

“No way I’m walking around with those,” Mia muttered, tossing in the last bag.

Elena grinned. “You’d think shopping was a workout.’

“It is, when you do it with heels and a heart full of emotional damage.” They both laughed.

Sliding into the front seats, Mia took the wheel, and Elena leaned back, adjusting the sunglasses over her eyes. The engine purred to life, and the girls drove off into the city, unaware of the discreet black SUV that pulled out of a side alley moments after they turned the corner.

Stefan’s man kept a careful distance, blending into the evening traffic, unseen but vigilant. It had been Stefan’s idea, he didn’t call, didn’t check in, but he sent someone to make sure Mia was safe. That was just how he operated, cold on the surface, quietly protective beneath.

They pulled up to a stylish restaurant, all floor-to-ceiling windows and low, golden lighting. Sienna was already seated by the time they walked in, her blonde hair catching the light like spun gold. But she wasn’t alone.

“Finally!” she called out, waving with her usual bubbly energy. “Come meet someone.”

The girls approached, curious.

“This is Alex,” Sienna said, practically glowing. “We met at the party last night.”

Alex stood and offered a hand, his smile easy and charming. “Pleasure to meet you both. Sienna had stopped talking about you too like you’re some kind of legend.”

Mia raised a brow. “Only when we want to be.”

They slid into their seats, then a waiter brought in the menus.

They spent time laughing, chatting, and watching Sienna flirt like a pro with Alex. They stayed a few more minutes, long enough not to appear rude, then stood up.

“Sienna, we’ll leave you two lovebirds alone,” Elena said, slipping her bag over her shoulder.

“Thanks for stopping by!” Sienna beamed. “Text me when you get home.”

As they stepped back outside, the city lights flickered, Mia slipped behind the wheel again. Neither of them spoke as she pulled the car into motion, the black SUV followed quietly behind.

The meeting stretched through the afternoon, by the time they wrapped up, the room was bathed in the deep

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36 WHAT MIA AND THAVE IS A CONTRACT, A BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT, NOTHING MORE

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orange hue of the setting sun. Stefan stood near the window, arms crossed, as Mose packed up their notes and materials.

“They’re still not back,” Mose said, peeking out the window.

Stefan didn’t respond.

Mose turned toward him. “Aren’t you worried?” Still no answer.

“I mean, Mia is your wife, even the world doesn’t know that yet.” That got Stefan’s attention.

He turned slowly, a single brow raised. “Exactly. My wife. So tell me,why are you the one acting like a jilted lover?”

Mose stiffened. “I’m not acting like anything.”

“Sure,” Stefan said, walking over to pour himself a glass of water. “You, who couldn’t even handle a one-month relationship, are now obsessing over the return of two women. You sure Elena isn’t rubbing off on you?”

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