Chapter 28
She stood up abruptly, her chair scraping softly against the floor as she turned away. Her breath hitched, tears blurring her vision before she could stop them.
“Please don’t contact me ever again, Mr. Draymond,” she said, her voice trembling despite her effort to steady it. “Our contract is over p>
Cassian’s eyes widened.
He rose to his feet instinctively and caught her wrist, his grip rough—nothing like his usual controlled, measured touch—as he spun her back toward him.
“It’s not over yet, Mira,” he said firmly. “Not the contract—but whatever it was between us. We’ll figure it out p>
“Cassian, leave!” she yelled, her voice cracking through the quiet restaurant.
The word hit him harder than he expected.
He stared at her for a long moment, jaw clenched, chest rising sharply as if he was holding something back. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, his steps sharp and furious.
Mira stood there, frozen, watching his retreating back until he disappeared from sight. Only then did her shoulders sag. Tears slipped down her cheeks as quiet, relentless sobs escaped her.
“I think I’ve already figured it out, Cassian,” she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible.
“And that scares me more than anything else p>
Outside, Cassian ran a hand through his hair aggressively.
“This is so fucked up,” he muttered.
“I shouldn’t have said that—damn it p>
He slid into his car and slammed the door shut, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
“I’ll find a way out of this,” he thought grimly. “I’ll fix this, Mira. One way or another p>
He turned the key.
Nothing.
The engine coughed once… and died.
Cassian frowned and tried again.
Nothing.
He stepped out of the car and lifted the hood, rain beginning to fall just seconds later—slow at first, then heavier.
“Perfect timing,” he scoffed bitterly, kicking the tire before letting out a humorless laugh.
Within moments, he was soaked.
After standing there for a few minutes, rain plastering his hair to his forehead, Cassian exhaled sharply and turned back toward the restaurant.
Inside, Mira sat quietly by the window, staring at the rain as if the world beyond the glass no longer existed. Rain had always been her comfort—so long as it didn’t interfere with her responsibilities. When she was home, she loved it.
Cassian stopped a few steps away, watching her silently. After all this time… she was still the same. And yet, not at all.
He walked toward her slowly, almost awkwardly.
She noticed him and her eyes widened.
“Why are you back again?” she asked flatly, already turning toward the window. “Didn’t you make your dramatic exit p>
“That… it’s just he hesitated, irritation flickering across his face. “My car stopped. The engine’s not working. First time it’s ever happened p>
“So?” Mira replied coolly.
“So,” he sighed, “I want you to drop me at Draymond Tower p>
She blinked.
“And I don’t like begging,” he added stiffly. “You should know that p>
“Yeah,” she muttered under her breath, “you’re a pain in the ass p>
“What was that?” Cassian said sharply.
“Nothing,” she replied without looking at him. “It’s raining heavily p>
“It’s not like we’re staying here forever,” he said. “Just drive. Until wherever you’re staying p>
“No. That’s not possible,” she snapped. “He’s not even home p>
Cassian’s lips twitched.
“Even better p>
She shot him a glare.
“Look,” he said, lowering his voice slightly, “just keep me with you until the rain stops. I’ll leave right after. Besides, this restaurant is closing soon p>
She hesitated, fingers tightening around her bag strap.
Cassian stiffened.
“You don’t need to know,” she replied.
He exhaled sharply but said nothing.
The drive was quiet—uncomfortably so.
Rain drummed against the windshield, filling the silence until Cassian finally spoke.
“By the way,” he said casually, “how’s Livia doing p>
Mira didn’t even glance at him.
“You. Don’t. Need. To. Know,” she replied pointedly. “Want me to spell it out p>
For the first time, the powerful Cassian Draymond felt oddly… small.
They soon reached the apartment building.
Neither spoke.
Mira parked and stepped out, walking ahead while Cassian followed quietly. She unlocked the door and walked in.
“Don’t make yourself comfortable,” she said immediately, removing her earrings. “And remember—leave as soon as the rain stops. The kids are coming back from kindergarten p>
Cassian sneezed.
She startled slightly.
He sneezed again—harder this time.
She sighed deeply.
Before he could react, she tossed him a hoodie and a pair of pants.
“Change into these p>
“No need,” he said automatically.
Then sneezed again.
“Take it,” she snapped. “Or you’ll freeze to death. Put your ego aside for once p>
He stared at her for a moment… then gave in.
He walked into her room, glancing around instinctively. His eyes landed on a black strapless dress laid neatly on the bed.
He picked it up, inspecting it.
“Interesting,” he said aloud. “Is this a scarf p>
Mira walked in just in time to hear that.
“Don’t touch my dress,” she said sharply, snatching it from his hands and shoving it back into the cupboard.
It’s a strapless skirt. can’t you see?
“Well,” he smirked faintly, “I was just curious. I can imagine how you’d look in it”
She shut the cupboard with force.
“Be curious about leaving.
She moved past him, heading for the kitchen.
“Bathroom’s on the left,” she added flatly. “Dry yourself properly. I’m not dealing with a sick billionaire on my couch p>
Cassian watched her for a second, then exhaled through his nose. “You always did hate unnecessary drama p>
She paused, her back to him. “Funny coming from you p>
He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes scanning the space without touching anything. The apartment felt lived-in—warm, quiet, nothing like the sharp, polished world he ruled. It unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
“You’ve built a life,” he said, almost to himself.
“That’s what people do when they move on,” she replied, opening a cabinet a little too hard. “They survive. They adapt p>
“And they forget?” he asked.
She turned then, meeting his gaze fully for the first time since they’d entered. “No,” she said honestly. “They learn where memories belong p>
Memories, Right. thunder rolled faintly outside, the rain refusing to ease. Cassian checked the window, jaw tightening.
“You’ll leave when it stops,” she reminded him.
The doorbell rang suddenly, breaking the moment between them.
“Oh shit—the kids are home,” Mira whispered sharply.
“Go hide! Make it quick,” she said, panic slipping into her voice.
Cassian smirked, walking closer to her until she was backed against the wall.
“You don’t tell me what to do,” he said calmly.
“Let me see my kids properly,” he added, winking at her devilishly.
Before she could react, he walked toward the door and opened it.
He saw both of them wearing raincoats, droplets still clinging to the fabric, with the car driver standing behind them. Cassian smiled at the kids—this time genuinely, effortlessly.
Mira came out of the room, slipping slightly and nearly falling clumsily.
“Wait, Cassian—” she said breathlessly, but it was already too late by the time she reached them.
“Hello, kids,” Cassian said, smiling warmly.
“Lucien, this is the saviour uncle,” Ivy said proudly.
“I know. It’s the restroom, uncle, for me,” Lucien said seriously as he walked straight into the house.
Cassian chuckled softly.
“Why are you here, uncle?” Lucien asked, crossing his arms over his chest like a grown man, brows furrowed.
Cassian leaned down to his height.
“I came… here, let me think,” he said, tapping a finger on his chin like a child.
“Because I want to thank Ivy for the band-aid that time when I was hurt on my hand p>
Ivy ran to him, smiling cutely.
“Uncle, so are you going to play with us instead of thanking?” Ivy asked eagerly.
He glanced at Mira, who was clearly mouthing no with wide eyes.
He looked back at the kids, who were clearly excited.
“Um, actually, uncle needs to go now,” he said, his voice suddenly sad.
“Pretty please?” little Ivy said, looking at him with her big, cute eyes.
He couldn’t take that.
“Mira, I think I’ll just leave after playing a little with them. Don’t stop me this time. I deserve this at least. I promise I’ll leave. Besides, it’s still raining outside p>
Mira sighed dramatically before finally giving in.
“Oh, whatever p>
She sat on the couch, defeated.
“Yay!” The kids felt joyed and cheered loudly.
“So now, uncle, I’ll do your hairstyle,” Ivy said excitedly.
“Like my mom does mine p>
“Yeah, you always get what you want,” Lucien said.
“And he’s not a girl. He’s a boy. He won’t play girly games p>
“No, uncle’s playing with me—girly or not,” Ivy said, pouting cutely.
Watching them fight over him, his heart melted.
“Okay, guys,” Cassian said softly, smiling.
“I’ll play both games. We good p>
“Fine,” Lucien said, rolling his eyes.
Ivy squealed in happiness and brought her hair clips—bow-shaped, cute, and pink.
“By the way, uncle,” Lucien asked innocently,
“Do you know our mom p>
Cassian was caught off guard by the question. His smile faltered, and for a brief second, the room felt unbearably quiet.
He didn’t answer.
He lifted his gaze to Mira.
She was already staring at him, frozen, while Ivy and Lucien looked at him expectantly, their eyes silently demanding a response.