The Spiteful Bride, Marry to Rival's Son-Chapter 106

I’VE GOT ONE TOO

Stefan didn’t let go of her immediately, when he finally eased back, his hand stayed on her waist.

His eyes were on her.... soft but intense. Then, without a word, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Gentle. Reassuring. Like a promise. A promise to always protect from people like her dad who only sees her as a tool.

Mia closed her eyes. Letting the sensation of the kiss evolve her.

Then Stefan looked down at her... at the small, faint scars now exposed where her shirt had ridden up slightly. His fingers brushed over them gently, then without saying a word, he leaned down and kissed one.

Mia breath hitched. She never expected Stefan to kiss her scar. A scar she’s always been ashamed of. She as always seen it as what it was. A scar. She didn’t move, just stared at him with astonishment.

His lips touched her damaged skin like it was made of something precious.

When he looked back up, her eyes were wide, staring at him. He then raised his head and placed a quick kiss on her lips.

"I’ve got one too," he said, his voice low.

Mia blinked. "What?"

He took her hand and slowly guided it under the hem of his shirt, resting it flat against the firm skin of his abdomen.

There. A small dip in his muscle. Faint.... but still there.

She looked up at him, surprised. "What happened?"

His jaw clenched slightly. "Back when my mom started having addiction, I had to admit her in the asylum... I then took a job at this trash bar downtown. Just to keep up with her bills. One night, I stayed late.... there was an extra time, which includes extra pay. Told the manager I was interested.... needed to pay my mom fees so badly." His voice stayed even, but his eyes darkened.

"On my way home, three guys came out of nowhere. Didn’t ask for my wallet. Didn’t say a word. Just pulled a knife and stabbed me three times on the same spot. Their intent was to kill."

Mia’s mouth parted. Her fingers tightened slightly on his skin.

"I thought I was done, but I was lucky." he said, gaze dropping for a second. "If someone hadn’t been passing by, I wouldn’t be here. I didn’t even know the guy. He just dragged me to a clinic, and just said, ’You don’t die today.’ Then disappeared."

Stefan looked on, revisiting the event of that day. That help, was the reason he didn’t even think twice when he found Mose half dead that night on the lonely street.

Mia swallowed hard, finding it difficult to digest all she was hearing. Someone tried to kill an innocent child, for what exactly? "Did you ever find out who...?"

He nodded once. "Yeah. Took a while. But I found out."

Mia hesitated, praying it has nothing to do with Jeremiah. "Who was it?"

Stefan held her gaze. "Annabella."

Mia’s breath caught. She stepped back slightly in disbelief. "What? Why?"

"She found out about me," he said, simply. "Didn’t like that I existed. Thought I was going to ruin her husband’s legacy or some shit. So she tried to erase me before I became a problem." Mia stared at him. The calmness in his voice somehow made the story even worse.

"But... you didn’t do anything? Didn’t press charges?"

He shook his head. "Didn’t have the luxury. My mom was losing her mind in that place, and I had no one else. So I just made a deal with her. Either Jeremiah publicly acknowledged me.... gave me access to a small cut of what I was due... or I’d tell the whole world what she did. And Annabelle hates controversy"

"And she agreed? Just like that?"

"They couldn’t win against me." Stefan said flatly. "I didn’t just storm there. I took my time, I studied them thoroughly. I was on a greater mission, one I couldn’t afford to fail. I wanted my mom out of that hellhole. I needed to survive." He looked at her with a proud smirk. "Annabelle knew I wasn’t like Jeremiah she could control. I was the master of the game. So she had no other option than to agree to my terms."

Mia had a proud look on her face. Proud that he had survived and took charge of the situation.... At such a young age. She wanted to kiss him, but she needed him to continue.

"And you did more than survive. I’m so proud of the man you’ve grown into."

He met her gaze again. "So did you, Mia. You’re one of the strongest human I know. You’re strength itself." A blush appeared on her face.

Then Stefan took her hand again and placed it above the scar. "We’re not broken, Mia," he said. "We’re just... stitched up differently."

She didn’t speak. She just nodded slowly, a tear slipping down her cheek. Her heart broke. Not for herself, but for the young boy who had to navigate life alone. Without anyone by his side to protect him.

He reached up, wiped it away with his thumb, then leaned in and whispered against her lips.

"And I’ll kill anyone who ever tries to open that wound again."

Mia let out a soft sigh. Her eyes were clearer now, no longer full of confusion or pain... but something colder. This revenge wasn’t about her anymore, a new course has risen. She was after Jeremiah and Annabelle now. She’d make sure they regret all the pain they’ve cost Stefan. Both the ones he couldn’t talk about.

"I have an idea," she said.

Stefan raised a brow.

"We let them think it worked," she continued. "Let them believe they’ve broken us apart."

She stood, slowly walking toward the window, arms folded, mind already working. "Let’s act like we haven’t settled anything. Like the marriage is falling apart, and in a brink of divorce."

Stefan tilted his head, watching her closely.

She turned back to face him. "We’ll make it public, not saying anything but actually letting our actions speak. It’s just two weeks to the final declaration. When we lunch MSS. I bet they won’t see it coming."

Stefan stood, slow and calm, like a man stepping into a storm he’d been waiting for.

"I like the idea. But I think there’ll be a problem." She looked up at him with a raised brow.

"I won’t be able to kiss you when or however I please" he said with a low body.

Mia laughed hitting him playfully "when did you become this cheesy?"

He reached for her again, cupping her waist and drawing her in. "When you let me enter into your garden." he murmured, eyes locking with hers, like he was dead serious.

"What are you saying?" Mia tried taking few steps away from him, but before she could move further..... Stefan swept her into his arms without warning.

"Stefan!" she yelped, grabbing onto his shoulders and instinctively trying to pull her robe tighter around her. "Put me down!"

He laughed.... low, warm, teasing. "What are you hiding, love? There’s nothing I didn’t see last night."

Mia turned her face away, cheeks coloring, which only made him laugh harder. She couldn’t believe the Stefan she was encountering today. First he told her a secret she was sure, no one was aware of. Now, he was talking all dirty with her. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"No way," Stefan said, eyes twinkling. "The Mia Meyer who walks into boardrooms and makes grown men stutter... getting shy because her husband’s seeing a little skin?"

She shoved at his chest, still flustered. "Stefan Sterling, you....."

But she didn’t finish. His hearty laugh filled the room, loud and full, shaking against her. It was rare... and beautiful.

"I love it when you call my full name," he said, leaning in close. His voice dipped lower, thicker with intent. "Say it again... but slower this time."

Mia shook her head, biting down a smile. "You’re impossible."

"Mm. That’s not what you said last night," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her jaw.

Still holding her like she weighed nothing, he pushed open the bathroom door with his foot and carried her inside.

Steam rose in the air as the water warmed. And in that shower, time slowed.

They didn’t rush. They touched each other like they were memorizing, not just claiming. Showing each other what they couldn’t always say out loud.

By the time they stepped out, the mirror was fogged, their bodies warm, and everything between them settled into a deeper rhythm.

An hour later, they were packed and ready to head back to where reality was waiting for them.