THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53

His eyes were locked on her, burning with an intensity that made her breath catch.

Why was he here? And why was he looking at her like that? Like she had committed a crime.

“Mia?” Dave’s voice pulled her back. “Is everything okay?”

She blinked and turned back to him. “Yeah. Just… I’ll be right back.”

But before she could move, Stefan was already walking toward them. His steps were unhurried, but his gaze never left hers, not even for a second. It was intense, unreadable, like a storm cloud. The chatter from the other table faded behind him, and it felt like he was cutting through the room like a knife.

Dave noticed him now.

His brows knit together slightly. “Someone you know?” she nodded her head in agreement.

Stefan stopped by the table, eyes flicking briefly to Dave before settling on her again. His expression didn’t shift, if anything, it sharpened. She couldn’t help but wonder what she had done wrong. They were okay before she left, they even kissed.

A blush crept her face when she remembered their kiss. But she cleared her throat before speaking, her voice was low and stiff. “Stefan, this is my friend Dave. Dave, Stefan.”

Her friend? That word tasted bitter in Stefan’s mouth. The last time he checked, Elena was her only friends. A flicker of heat burned in his chest.

Was Elena right? At first he didn’t take her words serious, but Mia had never smiled like that with him, and they were married. But here she was smiling, with that full-faced, smile, radiating with joy, like they were couples. That smile wasn’t something she handed out easily, not even to him.

Only Elena got that side of her, but he didn’t mind. Elena was family, practically her sister. But this man? Would he have to compete again?

Then, he lifted a brow slowly as if processing what she’d just said. Wait! She also introduced him as her friend. Her friend? Was that all he was to her?

His eyes didn’t leave Mia’s face. His jaw clenched once. Then he spoke, with a cold, clipped and sharp voice.

“Husband,” he said looking at Dave, then back at her.

Dave blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“I’m her husband,” he repeated, his voice calm but coated in something Dave understood well. Possession, claim and challenge.

Dave’s brows furrowed, before turning to Mia. “You’re married?” he could sense that whoever this man was, he wasn’t an ordinary man. He wasn’t like any man he’d come across, he was too handsome to be a man.

He carries all the attention in a space without even trying, he was what they call an alpha male. How can he compete with him for Mia’s attention, it felt like a lost cause.

Mia opened her mouth, scrambling for words. “I… I was going to tell yo…..”

“Why didn’t you tell him you were married, wife?” Stefan cut in, voice sharp and soft all at once, like a blade wrapped with a cotton.

Mia’s face flushed, her throat felt dry. What was he doing?

1/3

WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL FOR YOU WERE MARRED W

+25 Bonus

Dave’s gaze bounced between them, clearly trying to make sense of the drama he was witnessing. Something flickered in his expression, something close to hurt. But he asked it quickly, not quick enough because Stefan saw it.

And Stefan didn’t like that look for some reason. Because it proved his suspicions right, this Dave has feelings for Mia.

Before Mia could speak again, Stefan leaned down and presed a kiss to her lips.

It was brief, and gentle. But it burned her, her heart tripped in her chest. Her cheeks burned crimson.

He pulled back, his eyes locked on hers, and said, “Just wanted to say hi to my wife. My friends are waiting.” Then he turned and walked away without a backward glance.

Mia stared after him, her fingers trembling slightly against her glass. Her lips still tingled, from the kiss. Her thoughts were spiraling, bumping into themselves.

What the hell was that? Stefan had never kissed her without a reason. “But he kissed you earlier today” her subconscious he said to her, shutting her up.

Dave cleared his throat, breaking her trance. “So…” he said, tone casual but his eyes were sharp, “That’s your husband?”

Mia winced slightly. “Yeah.”

“Since when?”

“It’s… recent. Complicated.”

“Complicated enough to not mention it?” he asked, more accusing than curious.

She sighed. “I wasn’t hiding it. I just… wanted tonight to be about you and me. You’re barely ever around, and I missed this. I missed you.’

Dave leaned back in his seat, studying her face. “Okay,” he said slowly, tilting his head, ” but, what the hell was that?”

Mia blinked, then shook her head in confusion “What do you mean?” Dave arched a brow at her, unimpressed. “That kiss? The glare? That whole… territorial display? Like a caveman. Mia, that man was jealous.”She almost choked on her drink.

“Jealous? Stefan Sterling?” She waved a hand as if trying to swat away the thought. “Please.”

Dave didn’t budge. He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, looking at her like she was in denial. “Yes. Jealous. You didn’t see the way he looked at me, I thought he was about to challenge me to a fight or something. Like I’d stolen something important to him.”

Mia chuckled, “He’s not like that. Stefan doesn’t get jealous. He’s… calculated and always In control, always. It was probably just him being his usual overbearing self.”

Then he leaned forward, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the table. “Wait a second. Stefan Sterling?”

She stiffened slightly. “Yes…”

A slow grin began to form on Dave’s lips. “As in Sterling Group? As in your dad’s long-time rival?” Mia swallowed hard.

Dave let out a soft whistle. “Mia… no wonder you married him.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

2/3

53 WHY DON’T YOU TELL HIM VORE MARRIED WIT

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify