THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

The sky had darkened.Streetlights flickered to life one by one, casting a warm golden hue across the amusement park

Noen light buzzed quietly, illuminating the crowd that had slowly begun to thin out. Most families had already gone home. The buzz of laughter was quieter now, softer. The air was cooler, touched by the coming night.

But Mia didn’t want the day to end. Not yet.

They’d done everything…games, snacks, silly photos at the booth. Stefan had even attempted a water gun shooting game and failed miserably. It had made her laugh harder than she had in weeks. And for the first time since they met, she saw him have fun and smiled.

He didn’t ever complain. He had simply… followed her lead. Content.

A man out of his element, and yet, not resisting it.

“Let’s do one more,” she said, her eyes twinkling as they walked past the Ferris wheel glowing against the night sky.

Stefan’s brows rose. “It’s late.”

“Exactly,” she grinned. “That’s when it’s most beautiful. Look, everyone else is gone. No lines. Just us.”

He stared at the wheel. “You want to ride that now?”

“Yes,” she said firmly, like it was non-negotiable. “Come on, you’ve never ridden it before, right?”

He gave her a side glance, the corner of his mouth twitching. “You enjoy ordering me around a little too much.”

“I’m your wife, remember?” she said smugly.

Stefan sighed, defeated. “Fine. One last ride.” Didn’t know if he was doing it for himself anymore, or because he wanted to keep seeing the smile on her face.

They got on. The metal groaned as the wheel turned slowly, lifting them into the air. The city lights sprawled beneath them, twinkling like stars on land. The wind whispered past, carrying the soft music from the fair below.

Stefan looked around.

“This is… different.”

Mia glanced at him. “You mean peaceful?”

“No. I mean… freeing.”

She smiled.

For a long moment, they said nothing. He sat beside her, legs stretched out, one arm resting across the back of the seat. Like he was finally at ease. The rigid lines in his face were softer now, the sharpness in his eyes dimmed into something gentler.

“I had fun,” he said, surprising her.

Mia turned toward him. “You did?”

He nodded once. “You made it… easy.”

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HE WAS INTOUT WITH MIA MEYER

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Mia’s heart gave a small flutter.

This was a different Stefan. No walls. No cold glares. Just a man, honest, stripped of his armor.

“Good,” she said softly. “You deserved to have a good day.

He didn’t respond. But the way he looked at her, like she was something he couldn’t quite figure out…..nade her cheeks warm.

When they finally stepped off the ride, the park was nearlypty. The night was deep now, past 10 p.m.

“Let’s go, I’ve book is a hotel” Stefan said quietly, almost luctant.

But Mia tugged his sleeve. “Wait. One last stop.”

He looked at her, brows raised.

“I promise it’s the last one,” she added quickly, already pulling him along.

They exited the park and walked down a quieter, narrower street. The buzz of the amusement rides faded behind them, replaced by a familiar scent, spices, grilled meat, freshly baked bread.

Street vendors lined the road, lanterns swaying gently in the breeze.

This was Mia’s favorite night market.

Stefan stiffened slightly. “Mia…”

“Don’t worry,” she said, turning to smile at him. “We’re safe. You can protect us both.”

She’s right, he’d protect her with his life. So, he didn’t argue, just followed.

And it wasn’t long before she dragged him to a stall run by an old woman with wrinkled eyes and a warm smile.

They sat on a low wooden bench nearby, and when Stefan took his first bite, his eyes widened slightly. Mia didn’t

miss it.

“Good, right?” she asked proudly.

“…It’s decent,” he muttered, but she saw the enjoyment in his gaze. He must have missed this place alot.

They ate in silence for a while, sitting under a rusted lantern, surrounded by laughter and distant music from an old radio in the stall.

The crowd was thicker now in the street. Somewhere between leaving the stall and her saying she wanted to get dessert, Mia had slipped away from him.

At first, Stefan didn’t panic.

She was just a few steps ahead, maybe by the next stall. Maybe stopped to buy something.

But the more he looked, the more his heart began to pound

His eyes scanned left, right, past people walking, laughing, bargaining. No sign of her.

“Mia?” he called, once. Then louder. “Mia!”

Nothing.

Now, the panic settled deep. An real.

His chest tightened. His breathing hitched.

2/4

SER TO ABA CYPR

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He turned in circles, moving through the crowd, bumping to people, not caring. Where the hell was she?

What if someone grabbed her?

What if she’d been taken?

What if…..?

He could feel the thoughts racing….no, crashing through his mind. Loud, Chaotic. His own voice screaming inside him. His hands were shaking now.

He paused when he felt his phone vibrate. He reached into is pocket, finally, retrieving the phone.

A damn call. How could he have forgotten he had a phone?

He answered, not even looking at the screen. “Mia?”

And then……laughter.

Her laughter.

Bright. Free. Beautiful.

“Turn to your left,” she said through the phone, still laughing.

He turned.

And there she was.

Standing a few feet away, phone pressed to her ear, laughing at him. Her other hand was waving at him.

The wind tugged at her hair, lifting strands like a soft wave around her face. Her cheeks were flushed, her smile wide. She looked… alive.

Like an angel sent to earth to save humanity. To save…..hin

And time just stopped.

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