THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 82

82 SHE HAD NEVER MEANT FOR THAT MOMENT TO TURN SOUR

Chapter 82

Mia didn’t remember when sleep claimed her. One moment she was watching clouds drift by through the window, the next everything blurred into velvet darkness.

The gentle hum of the plane was oddly comforting. Warmth surrounded her. Her last thought was how safe she felt….. wrapped in silence, close to him.

Then, faintly, a jolt….. no, arms. Strong, firm arms around her body. Stefan?

She stirred slightly, but her limbs felt heavy and her eyes refused to open. Her cheek found the crook of something…. a shoulder? His shoulder. The scent of his cologne confirmed it.

She registered the low murmur of voices, the shifting of air as she was carried bridal style into something else. A car, maybe. His hand subconsciously tightened around her, holding her with more care than necessary.

She melted deeper into sleep. She could hear and feel but her eyes just wouldn’t open.

Later, another movement. A door creaked. Then warm sheets. Foam met her back, and again, she drifted off without resistance.

When she finally woke, the room was bathed in soft golden light.

She blinked twice, adjusting to the glow.

Where…?

The space was unfamiliar, yet beautiful. High ceilings. Elegant décor. Tall glass doors leading to a balcony where ocean breeze flowed freely. A vacation home? A resort?

Her fingers touched the sheet beside her. Empty. He wasn’t there. Stefan was gone. She was aware they shared the same bed.

The realization sat heavily in her chest. She slowly sat up, the silky robe she hadn’t remembered wearing falling down one shoulder. Someone had changed her clothes…. him?

But, wait! Did anything happen the night before? She quickly touched herself but….. nothing. She didn’t feel any discomfort.

She gave out a sign of relief. Maybe it was someone else.

She climbed out of bed quickly, slipped her feet into her footwear, and padded across the room. The large glass windows welcomed the sunlight….. but it was what lay beyond them that made her breath hitch in her throat.

The ocean stretched far and wide, turquoise and brilliant. Palm trees swayed. Lush hills kissed the horizon.

“No, no, no…” she whispered under her breath, her pulse rising.

Her heart pounded as she flung open the door and rushed out of the bedroom, her robe fluttering behind her.

Then she saw him, sitting in all his glory like he owned the place. She wouldn’t be surprise if she finds out right now that, he’d added this place to his collections. Because Stefan Sterling doesn’t seize to amaze her.

He sat in the open lounge facing the ocean, dressed casually in a soft white linen shirt and beige pants. One leg was crossed over the other, and in his hand was a ceramic mug. He sipped calmly, as though he hadn’t just transported her across the world without her noticing.

He looked up when he heard her steps, his face unreadable calm, composed, yet alert in the eyes.

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583 SHE HAD NEVER MEANT FOR THAT MOMENT TO TURN SCHUR

“You’re awake,” he said casually.

“Where are we?” she blurted out, her breath still uneven.

He raised a brow, a smirk on his face. “Good morning to you too.”

“Oh… sorry,” she said quickly, heat rising to her cheeks. “Good morning. But… seriously, where are we?”

She stood still now, holding her breath as her mind wrestled with what she saw outside the window. It couldn’t be where she thought. It just couldn’t.

“Hawaii,” Stefan said. “Maui.” Her lips parted but nothing came out. Her knees slightly wobbled.

She had never told anyone. No one. Not even Elena.

“But we can also hop over to Oahu during the trip. That’s if you don’t like here.” he looked at her with an unsure look.

Why wouldn’t she like here, she loved here. For years.

This….. this place, with its rolling waves, powdery sands, and ocean breeze….was her childhood dream. A place she imagined as her perfect honeymoon spot when she used to cut out magazine photos and tape them to her bedroom wall.

“How?” she breathed out. That was all she could manage. “How did you…?”

He shrugged again, so effortlessly. “It’s our honeymoon. I figured we should come somewhere you’ve always wanted to go.”

She stared at him, heart stammering in her chest.

“But… I never told anyone.”

He gave her a subtle smirk, sipping his coffee again, that maddeningly unreadable expression still on his face.

“Are you sure?” he asked, voice smooth, “Or were you planning to come here with someone else?”

His words weren’t accusing, but they weren’t entirely teasing either. There was something layered behind them……. something Mia couldn’t quite grasp.

Her lips parted again, but no words came.

He held her gaze.

Her lips parted, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to answer. But when the meaning of his words finally registered, she straightened and quickly shook her head, eyes wide and honest.

“What? No. Of course not,” she said, stumbling over her words. “I had no one in mind. It was just… just a childhood dream.”

Stefan didn’t respond immediately. He just stared at her for another long second, his light brown eyes unreadable, as if reading between her hesitations, as if filing her reaction deep in that locked box he kept inside him.

The breeze caught a lock of his hair, but he didn’t blink, didn’t shift. It was like he was searching for something in her face.

Mia held her breath.

Then, without a word, Stefan stood. Slowly. Calmly.

He placed his coffee mug down on the nearby table with a soft clink and turned away from her. And walked off.

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