Chapter 86Like, Stefan wants them to act like real couples? Nah, maybe she got his meaning all wrong.Maybe he meant, they should act like real couple because of the media. Yes, that was it.She was still in discussion with her subconscious when she felt Stefan shift beside her. Before she could fully process it, he moved again...... settling himself behind her, gently guiding her until she was seated between his legs, her back resting against his firm chest.She froze for a second.Her head tilted slightly upward in confusion. “Uhm… what are you.... doing?”She could feel his arm resting loosely around her waist, the heat of his body as it pressed against her in a way that sent all kinds of unfamiliar tingles through her skin.“I saw a couple sit this way earlier,” he said casually, as if this was a normal activity, “and people around were gushing. Taking pictures. Whispering like it was the most romantic thing ever.”Mia’s brows lifted, her lips twitching in amusement, though he co
Chapter 85 Aidan blinked, leaned back, and grinned. “Well, well, well… you really are smitten.” The words snapped her back to the moment. She turned her face to him quickly, blinking hard as if to reset her entire expression. “What? No. No, I’m not.... he’s just....” she waved a hand vaguely in the air, “that’s not what this is.” Aidan gave a deep, knowing chuckle. “Chill, girl. You’re allowed to feel that way about your own husband. It’s not illegal.” Mia bit her bottom lip and said nothing. Mostly because she had nothing to say. And partly because if she opened her mouth, she might accidentally confess to feelings she hadn’t sorted out yet herself. Her stomach twisted, and just then, Stefan arrived. He didn’t say a word. Not even a glance at Aidan. Instead, he leaned down, dipped his head, and pressed a soft kiss to Mia’s forehead. Her heart nearly stopped. A thousand horses galloped through her stomach at once. She blinked slowly, unsure whether to breathe or melt. Stefan
Chapter 84Mia and Matteo were mid-laugh...... something about pineapple pizza and Matteo’s intense hatred for it.... when a soft, velvety male voice drifted from behind them.“Honey?” Mia blinked. She froze for a second. That voice… it wasn’t Stefan’s. So who was....Her head turned slowly like it was on a spring, and there, walking toward them with a towel draped around his toned shoulders and a sunshine-filled grin on his face, was another man. Tanned, lean, and unmistakably affectionate, the stranger leaned over the back of Matteo’s chair, pressed a soft kiss to his temple, and murmured, “Missed you.”Mia’s lips parted in quiet shock.Oh. Oh.She watched with wide eyes as Matteo smiled with a tenderness that screamed soulmate and responded casually, “Massage went well?”“Divine,” the man replied with a mock sigh, placing his hand over his heart dramatically. “They used coconut oil. I now smell like a sexy piña colada.”Mia let out a surprised laugh before she could stop herself.
Chapter 83After a while, Mia walked back slowly into the bedroom, the echo of her feet muffled by the soft rug. The room was silent, no sign of Stefan. It was bathed in early morning light streaming through the large glass doors. Her suitcase sat untouched, still unopened.She stared at it blankly for a moment, then went to the window. The view was breathtaking..... cliffs meeting ocean, golden sunlight flickering off the waves. She should’ve been smiling. Instead, her chest felt heavy.She heard footsteps behind her. Her breath caught. But when she turned, it wasn’t Stefan.A maid had entered quietly with a tray of breakfast. “Good morning, ma’am,” she said with a small bow, setting it on the low glass table. “Mr. Sterling asked this be brought up.”“Oh,” Mia said, blinking. “Thank you.”The woman left as quietly as she had come.Mia sat, her appetite nonexistent. Her eyes flicked toward the hallway. Was Stefan avoiding her? Or was she overthinking everything again?She didn’t under
Chapter 82Mia 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 witho
Chapter 81The car ride went back to being silent again, soft jazz humming in the background as city lights began to dim behind them. Mia leaned slightly against the window, still basking in the event of the day. Then she realizes she had no idea where they were heading to.She turned to Stefan, lips parting as she tucked a stray curl behind her ear.“Um… where are we going exactly?”Stefan didn't even blink. “Our honeymoon.”Mia’s face went from calm to crimson in seconds. Her eyes widened slightly, and her lashes fluttered in quick blinks as her mind betrayed her. Images from honeymoon tales Elena had gushed about filled her head uninvited.Stefan caught the shift instantly. His brows raised, and a teasing smile curved his lips. “What? Why...... are you blushing?”“What? Me?” Mia looked away quickly. “No…thing… Where..... where are we going?” She asked again, eyes darting to the windows as if that would provide answers.Stefan turned slightly in his seat, the corner of his mouth tu