marked by midnight: the enemy's heiress-Chapter 27 : The Unexpected date

After a few minutes, Ryan called back.

"Sir, I called her, but..."

"What did she say? Speak clearly!" Cassian’s voice was sharp, eyes blazing with restrained fury.

"She... she said she doesn’t want to see you," Ryan blurted out in one breath.

Cassian’s chest constricted, as if the air itself had thickened.

"She insists that you stop looking for her. She doesn’t want you anywhere near her again."

"Oh, she’s playing games now," he muttered, his voice low, edged with ice. Yet beneath the fury, a fragile pulse of hurt throbbed. He pressed his jaw tight, forcing his features into steel. "It’s far from over."

He ended the call and began pacing through his office, every step heavy with pent-up questions and unspent frustration. Every thought of her with another man, every imagined moment of her laughter in someone else’s arms, coiled tightly in his chest. But despair wasn’t an option. Not yet. He thrived on control, on strategy. And he would have answers.

Meanwhile, Mira sat by her window later that night, arms wrapped tightly around herself. The sky outside was a bruised gray, heavy and foreboding, pressing silence into the room. We’ll never face each other... Mr. Draymond... or... Cassian, she whispered, voice trembling with unacknowledged longing.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her reverie. She saw her mother’s name and answered.

"Hi, Mom," she said quietly, hiding her conflicted emotions.

"Mira, darling, you need to stop dwelling on the past," her mother’s voice was soft yet firm. "Forget the contract marriage nonsense. It’s over. You need to move on. Find someone who truly wants to be with you."

Mira remained silent, staring at the sky, letting her mother’s words drift over her.

"And... I’ve set up a date for you," her mother continued, cheerful but insistent. "It’s blind. You don’t know him yet, but you must go. Just listen to me this once. You can’t let the past dictate your life forever."

"A... date?" Mira asked, a frown tugging at her lips, a mix of skepticism and exasperation in her voice.

"Yes! Don’t argue. Go. You deserve happiness, Mira. Follow my advice this time," her mother pressed, the kindness in her tone unmistakable.

Mira let out a small, ironic laugh. A blind date... with some stranger... Probably someone I’ll never see again. What’s the point?

"Fine, Mom," she said softly, masking the turmoil in her chest. "I’ll... go."

She hung up and sank back against the window, hugging herself tighter. A date... with someone unknown... She exhaled slowly. It has to be over. I have my children. That’s enough. That’s my world.

She made both children brush their teeth and tucked them into bed, allowing herself a moment of silence before retreating to her own room.

The next morning:

"Good morning, my little ones!" Mira greeted, a genuine warmth in her voice despite her restless heart.

"So, what do my prince and princess want for breakfast?" she asked, kneeling to their level.

"Pancakes!" they shouted in unison, clapping their small hands with joy.

"Of course, your highness," she said, planting kisses on their foreheads.

After a few minutes, she placed pancakes before them. "And remember, you’re going to kindergarten today, so behave, hm? Good boy, good girl, right?"

"Yes, Mommy! Only if Lucien doesn’t give my toy to Ms. Ruby!"

"Ms. Ruby?" Mira raised an eyebrow, curiosity mixed with amusement.

"Yes! She’s our teacher, and he keeps gifting her things just to hear, ’Oh, what a sweet little boy,’" Ivy said, mimicking her teacher with impeccable cuteness.

Mira laughed softly, warmth spreading through her chest. "So my little Lucien wanted to charm Ms. Ruby, huh?"

"No, Mommy! She’s just kind to me, and I respect that," Lucien said, pride coloring his tone.

She smiled, her heart swelling at their innocence. Soon, breakfast concluded.

"Now off you go. Car’s waiting. Be good, okay?" she said, ruffling their hair.

"Okaie, Mommy. You too! Don’t get into trouble!" Ivy called, waving as they left.

Mira’s lips curved into a small, playful smile, the quiet of the empty house settling around her.

She dressed in a simple yet refined white dress, the fabric flowing softly, hugging her silhouette in an elegant, understated way. A delicate bow at the waist added a touch of youthful charm. Loose waves framed her face, softening her features and lending her an effortless allure. She drew a deep breath, steadying her racing thoughts. Focus on the date. Don’t think of him... not now.

Arriving at the restaurant, she caught sight of a man seated at a table, back straight, posture commanding. Mira froze, heart skipping. She rehearsed a few phrases under her breath: "Hello, nice to meet you... I hope we have a pleasant evening... Don’t panic... smile naturally..."

Her legs moved before her mind could object. Go. Just go.

Approaching the table, she hesitated. The man’s face was hidden behind a menu. Her breath quickened.

"Hi, it’s... Mira Serrano," she said softly, attempting a polite smile.

The menu lowered. And then—revelation.

"Cassian?!" she gasped, eyes wide.

Suddenly all the memories of them together kept coming like a flashback. The contract, nights.. pregnancy care. The laughter all at once.

"Yes, sweetheart. It’s me," Cassian said, arms crossed, a dark, teasing smirk playing on his lips. "You thought you could avoid me? Nah. I’ll chase you to hell."

Her pulse jumped, heart racing.

"Sit, Ms. Serrano," he said casually, his tone carrying effortless authority.

"As you know, I’m Cassian Draymond... your husband," he continued, voice steady yet edged with tension.

Her eyes widened in shock. "You’re... not my husband. It was a contract. Leave me alone. Rumors have died down. There’s no reason to meet." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"No. We do have a reason," he said firmly, leaning forward slightly. "Where are my babies? You likely had twins."

"You don’t need to know that," she said sharply.

"You have to tell me, Mira. Now. Where are they? And confirm—are Lucien and Ivy our children?"

"They are my children," she interrupted.

"Fine. Lucien and Ivy Serrano. That’s enough. They’re safe, happy, and well. You don’t need to know more. Don’t contact me again," she said, tone firm but weary.

"Do you think it’s just about the kids?" Cassian’s question was low, intimate, almost vulnerable.

"What about us?" he asked, gaze piercing.

"Us? We were a contractual husband and wife," she said softly, unknowingly cutting deeper than intended.

Cassian leaned back, silent, letting the words hang between them. The weight of years, mistakes, and unspoken truths settled in the space around them.

Mira took a deep, measured breath, eyes meeting his. For the first time, she let a tremor of honesty slip through her carefully constructed composure.

"I... I don’t know what to say, Cassian. I just... I’ve spent so long protecting my children, protecting myself, everything is different all at once," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, but resolute.