The Spiteful Bride, Marry to Rival's Son-Chapter 90

HER HANDS FOUND THE BUTTONS ON HIS SHIRT 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Stefan returned with Matteo just as Mia was finishing a quiet conversation with Aidan. She looked up the moment she saw him approaching, and her words came to an abrupt stop, the smile on her face softening.

They went round and handed the drinks over to everyone.

Aidan winked at Mia before turning towards his husband, and Mia turned her attention fully to Stefan, who took his place behind her again, settling easily like she was right where she belonged.

He leaned forward, the warmth of his breath brushing her ear as his mouth came dangerously close. His voice was low and rough, laced with curiosity.

"What were you two discussing?" he asked.

Mia shivered unintentionally. Her body responded before her mind did. She cleared her throat quickly and shook her head with a half-laugh. "Nothing serious. Aidan just asked me a random question."

She didn’t even know why she was nervous. But his mouth was still close, his presence a little overwhelming, in a way she couldn’t explain. Maybe it was the drink. Or the firelight. Or.....

He nodded and let the matter drop.

The game had taken a fun turn, nothing too serious, just questions tossed around to see how well each couple knew each other. Most of the questions were light, playful, and filled with teasing laughter.

Then it got to Mia and Stefan again.

James leaned forward with a smirk. "Alright, Stefan. Tell us... how does Mia like her food?"

The group turned to him, expecting he fails it. They believed he was one that doesn’t pay much attention to things.

But Stefan didn’t even blink.

"She likes her breakfast light.... mostly fruits, pancakes if she’s feeling fancy, and always with tea. Lunch depends on her mood, but she leans toward spicy, anything with pepper. Dinner? Soft, warm, and not too heavy.... soups, sometimes pasta if she’s not too tired. And she hates soggy toast. Can’t stand it."

Mia’s mouth parted slightly, the shock stealing her words.

Mia blinked in surprise.

He hadn’t looked at her, hadn’t hesitated, hadn’t asked for a clue.

He got it right. And not just right.... completely casual, like he had it stored on his memory. She made a mental note to ask him about it later.

The evening carried on with laughter, teasing, a few more silly questions, and stories that made everyone lean in closer, as if afraid to miss a single word. The fire popped and crackled, casting dancing shadows across all their faces.

Mia and Stefan genuinely loved the group’s company..... every single couple was different, yet somehow they all shared something in common. A spark. A connection. A story they fought to protect.

At some point, they exchanged numbers and social handles, promising to stay in touch.... even though they lived miles apart.

Beth leaned over to Mia and whispered, "I come to Manhattan a lot for work. Shoots, campaigns. I’ll look you up. Promise."

Mia smiled, her heart warm. "Please do."

Sammie gave her a strong hug, whispering a quick "take care of each other" before turning to drag Kenny toward their resort.

Eventually, it was time to part. The fire had dimmed, their laughter softer now, heavier with the weight of goodbyes.

The group trip was over. They all traveled together as a group.

Tomorrow, they would all return to their lives, their homes, their routines. But tonight.... tonight had been magic.

The walk back to the suite was quiet. A calm, soothing kind of silence.

But for Mia, her mind wasn’t calm. She kept thinking about Matteo and the rest leaving tomorrow. It was strange, how attached she had gotten to them in such a short time. Their stories, their warmth, the laughter they all shared. They had opened a door in her heart. A door that showed her what love could be like.... playful, safe, intentional, patient and honest.

It felt like saying goodbye to old friends.

She sighed softly, her eyes focused on the path ahead... until another thought nudged her.

Stefan’s answer during the game.

She stopped walking. Their fingers remained intertwined, so Stefan had no choice but to pause too. He turned to her.

"What is it?" he asked.

Mia looked up at him, her brows knitting slightly. "How did you know all that?" she asked quietly. "The food thing. You got it right... down to every last detail. How?"

Stefan shrugged, the corners of his lips twitching. "Because I’m a genius."

Mia blinked. Wait... did Stefan just crack a joke?

She stared at him for a moment, then played along, her lips curving. "Oh, really? Genius, huh? Then tell me, Mr. Genius, what does the look on my face mean right now?"

Stefan tilted his head, pretending to study her expression like a puzzle. She thought he’d say something sarcastic or dismissive.

But instead, he did something completely unexpected.

He reached down, grabbed her by the waist, and with absolutely no warning, hoisted her up and threw her over his shoulder.

"Stefan!" she shrieked, startled, her laughter bubbling out uncontrollably. "Put me down! What are you doing?"

"Carrying my wife," he said simply, walking ahead like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Stefan!" Mia squealed again, gripping the back of his shirt for dear life. "Is this how geniuses treats their wife’s?"

But it didn’t stop him, instead it made him increase his steps. He ran.

Not fast, but with long strides that made her feel like she was hanging from a mountain.

From Stefan’s shoulder to the ground looked ridiculously far. Had he always been this tall? Or was she just too short?

She didn’t know anymore. All she knew was that her heart was racing, her stomach hurt from laughing, and she was holding on to him like her life depended on it.

And somehow... it felt like the safest place she’d ever been.

"Okay! Okay!" she giggled breathlessly. "I surrender! You win! Please, just let me down before someone sees us!"

Stefan didn’t stop until they reached the front of their suite. Only then did he bend slightly, unlock the door with one hand while the other still held her firmly like she was a bag of feathers instead of a full-grown woman.

The door clicked open, and he stepped in, dropping her gently onto her feet in the middle of the room.

Mia wobbled slightly before smacking his chest with a small, playful pout.

"Why would you carry a full-grown woman like a child?" she asked, half-laughing, half-scolding.

That did it.

Stefan let out a laugh. Not a chuckle. A full, warm, real laugh that wrapped around the room like a hug.

Mia froze. She just stood there, blinking.

Everything slowed. His laugh echoed in her ears like a melody she wanted to memorize. His eyes crinkled slightly, and the deep dimple appeared on the side of his cheek. She couldn’t move, couldn’t think, she..... just stared.

Stefan’s laugh gradually faded as he noticed her staring.

"What?" he asked, brow arching slightly.

She didn’t answer.

Instead, before she could talk herself out of it, before her fears or logic ruined it, she leaned in and kissed him.

It was quick. Soft. Testing. Like she needed to know something and this was the only way to ask.

Stefan didn’t respond at first. His lips stayed still.

And just as she began to pull away, heart sinking, he pulled her right back in.

This time, he kissed her like she was something fragile yet familiar. His palm found its way to her lower back, pressing her against him, steady and sure.

Mia felt her breath hitch, but she wasn’t done. Not yet.

Still lost in the haze of him, she leaned up again and kissed him, hungrier, bolder. Her fingers tangled in the fabric of his shirt before finding their way to his chest.

She didn’t even know if he was the one who lifted her up, or if she climbed him like a wild woman, but somehow.... her legs wrapped tightly around his torso.

They kissed like the world was ending outside and this was the only thing that mattered. Her hands roamed up his shoulders, then down his chest, feeling the heat of his skin through his shirt.

Her hands found the buttons on his shirt, and she slowly unbutton them.