Chapter 22
Mira didn’t understand why her chest felt so tight, or what exactly had gone so terribly wrong, but one thing settled deep in her bones with frightening certainty.
Something irreversible was happening.
And once it happened, nothing would ever return to the way it was.
She rushed into the Serrano estate, the familiar iron gates closing behind her with a sound that felt final, almost like a verdict being passed. The grand hall she had grown up in, once warm and secure, now felt suffocatingly cold.
The air was tense. Heavy. Unforgiving.
Her gaze moved instinctively to her family.
Livia sat stiffly on the couch beside their mother, fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her sleeve. Her usual playful spark was gone, replaced with worry etched into her eyes. Their mother sat upright, lips pressed into a thin line, her posture rigid, as if she was bracing herself for a blow she already knew was coming.
And then there was her father.
He stood near the window, arms crossed over his chest, his attention entirely fixed on the tablet his assistant held out for him. His brows were drawn together in a deep scowl, his expression stern and unreadable. The longer Mira looked at him, the more uneasy she felt.
Her breath hitched.
Before she could take another step, she noticed Adrian.
He was pacing the room, long strides sharp and restless, like a predator barely restraining itself. His tall frame seemed even more imposing than usual, his jaw clenched so tightly that the muscle ticked. When his eyes finally landed on her, the intensity of his gaze made her stomach twist.
She hurried toward him.
“Brother,” she said quickly, gripping his arm. “Why did you call me so urgently? Is something wrong p>
The question spilled out of her, rushed and worried.
Adrian didn’t answer right away. Instead, he flicked a sharp glance at the assistant.
The assistant stiffened immediately and rushed forward, extending the tablet toward Mira.
“Look,” Adrian said, his voice low and dangerous.
Mira hesitated for only a second before taking the device. The moment the screen lit up, her blood ran cold.
🚨 NEWSFLASH 🚨
Netizens are in an uproar as rumors explode across social media, claiming that Cassian Draymond and Mira Isabella Serrano are bound by a contract marriage.
What started as whispers has now turned into a full-blown controversy.
Is this a betrayal of public trust?
Or are they deliberately mocking ordinary people by packaging a fabricated arrangement as a real marriage?
Or worse-
Is this marriage hiding a truth they refuse to reveal?
People are questioning everything.
Critics are demanding transparency.
And the silence from both sides is only fueling the fire.
If this marriage is nothing more than a contract, then why present it as real?
And if it is real, why does it feel so calculated?
The media wants answers.
The public deserves the truth.
This story is far from over.
#ContractMarriageExposed #CassianDraymond #MiraIsabellaSerrano
#MediaManipulation #PublicBetrayal #TruthOrScandal #CelebrityNews #BreakingNews
Mira’s breath left her in a sharp gasp.
“What..what the hell?” she whispered. “How did this p>
Her fingers tightened around the tablet as panic surged violently through her veins.
“This isn’t how it was supposed to happen,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. “We covered everything. Every loophole. Every risk. How did it leak p>
She handed the tablet back and began pacing the room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. Her thoughts raced uncontrollably, each one darker than the last.
“How are we supposed to face the media now?” she asked, voice cracking. “We’re finished. Completely finished p>
Adrian finally turned toward her fully, his expression hard and unyielding.
“We don’t have time to fall apart, Mira,” he said firmly. “And we don’t have the luxury of choices anymore p>
Her steps slowed. “What are you saying p>
“There’s only one way out of this,” Adrian replied. “You’re pregnant with his child-and the media doesn’t know that p>
Her heart dropped.
“If they uncover the truth behind the marriage,” Adrian continued, “the baby will survive the storm. But the lie we staged won’t. The public will accuse us of faking everything. Our credibility will shatter. Our partnerships will crumble p>
Mira felt dizzy.
“So… what do we do p>
“You come with me,” Adrian said without hesitation.
Her eyes widened. “What p>
“But Adrian-this isn’t right,” she protested. “We can’t disappear without telling Cassian. He’s risking his reputation too p>
“For now,” Adrian snapped, “he is the risk p>
“But p>
“No buts,” he cut her off coldly. “We’re leaving. Immediately p>
Her chest tightened. “How long are we supposed to hide like this p>
“Until the rumors die,” Adrian replied. “And until you give birth p>
His gaze flicked briefly to her stomach, irritation flashing before he masked it completely.
“We’ll return when the time is right p>
Tears burned her eyes. “This is all my fault,” she whispered. “I’m destroying everything we built p>
“There’s no time for blame,” Adrian said sharply. “Get in the car p>
“Where are we going?” she asked weakly.
“Europe,” he replied. “The flight leaves in a few hours p>
He stepped closer.
“And don’t inform Cassian. Under any circumstances p>
Her heart clenched painfully. “But he helped us p>
“He protected himself,” Adrian said coldly. “Marriage was his shield p>
Mira said nothing as she followed him, her thoughts entirely consumed by Cassian—by what he would think, how he would react, and whether he would ever forgive her.
Cassian noticed the silence first.
The absence.
Mira wasn’t in his private residence.
Annoyance quickly turned into unease when his calls went unanswered. He grabbed his shirt, barely bothering to button it, and stormed out. The car sped through the city as his jaw clenched tighter with every second.
When he reached the mansion and found no trace of her, his unease twisted into something darker.
He called Ryan immediately.
“She didn’t come here p>
“No, sir p>
“Call the Serrano estate p>
Minutes later-
“She’s on her way to the airport p>
Cassian froze.
“The airport p>
“They say she’s leaving the country p>
His chest tightened painfully.
Ryan handed him the tablet. Headlines flooded the screen.
Then his phone buzzed.
Adrian:
“You’ve done enough. My sister is under my protection now. I’ll take it from here p>
Cassian’s control snapped.
He hurled the phone across the room. It landed on the floor with a crash.
“fucking adrian p>
A/N: Writing this Chapter really proved I’d make an excellent reporter. Digging into scandals and asking uncomfortable questions? Effortless 😒