Chapter 36
When Mira stepped back out of the bedroom, a faint smile still lingered on her lips.
“Cassian?” she called, glancing around the hall.
No answer.
Her brows knit together slightly. She looked toward the kids, who were sitting on the floor surrounded by toys.
“Did you see him?” she asked softly.
Ivy looked up first. “Mommy, Mr. Cassian went out really fast,” she said, pouting a little. “He didn’t even eat anything p>
Mira sighed quietly. “At least he could’ve told me he was leaving for work,” she muttered.
Lucien looked serious now. “And Mommy… he didn’t even respond when we said goodbye p>
That made her pause.
“Oh she murmured, guilt pricking her chest.
Did I do something wrong this morning?
She shook the thought away, forcing a smile as she clapped her hands lightly.
“Well! Forget that for now,” she said brightly. “Uncle Kael promised to take you guys out today, remember? He’s coming here p>
The kids’ eyes widened.
“Yay!!” they both cheered, jumping up excitedly.
An hour later, the doorbell rang.
Kael walked in with his usual easy grin. “Hello, my little hurricanes p>
Before they could even respond, he scooped both kids up effortlessly. Their laughter filled the room as they clung to him.
“Are we ready to go to the amusement park?” he asked dramatically.
“Yes!!” Lucien and Ivy shouted together.
Kael turned to Mira. “Mind if you come with us p>
She hesitated. “I might not join. You guys enjoy p>
“Oh, come on, woman,” Kael cut in lightly. “Sometimes we all need a break p>
She frowned. “But Cassian p>
“What about Cassian?” Kael shrugged. “Forget him for now p>
He gently set the kids down, then reached for Mira’s hand before she could protest. “Come. I won’t ask twice p>
He tugged her along playfully. The kids followed behind, already buzzing with excitement at the idea of their mom coming with them.
“Fine,” Mira muttered, pretending to be annoyed—though a small smile betrayed her.
They piled into the car moments later. The kids immediately started arguing about which ride to go on first, voices overlapping, hands waving animatedly.
“The roller coaster!” Ivy insisted.
“No! The giant wheel!” Lucien argued back.
Mira laughed softly from the back seat, watching them through the mirror as Kael drove, the car filled with noise, laughter.
And soon, they reached the amusement park.
The moment they stepped inside, Lucien’s eyes lit up.
“Mommy! The giant wheel!” he exclaimed, pointing excitedly toward the towering ride meant for adults.
Mira followed his gaze and shook her head immediately. “Yes, but not that one. That’s not for kids. It’s scary p>
Lucien puffed out his chest. “Mommy, I’m grown,” he declared seriously. “I eat eggs and drink milk. I’m not scared of anything p>
She laughed, unconvinced. “Oh really p>
Still, she placed her hands on his shoulders and gently guided him toward the kids’ giant wheel instead. Lucien resisted dramatically, his shoes scraping against the ground as he tried to stop himself—yet his feet kept moving anyway.
“I said I’m not scared!” he protested, even as he allowed himself to be pushed.
Kael burst out laughing and scooped Ivy into his arms. “Hey, wait for us!” he called, jogging after them.
Soon enough, both kids were seated safely in the giant wheel, their excitement buzzing as the ride slowly began to move.
Mira and Kael stood side by side, watching the wheel turn, the children’s laughter drifting down to them.
After a quiet moment, Kael spoke, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
“So… you’re not coming back to my place, I guess p>
She nodded softly. “Yeah. I wanted to tell you that in person p>
He hesitated. “Why?” he asked. “You know he’s your family’s enemy. They’re rivals p>
Mira’s gaze stayed fixed on the ride, but her voice was steady.
“That’s over,” she said. “He’s not what he looks like. He’s soft—vulnerable. If you don’t look closely, you’d never notice how lonely he is p>
Kael glanced at her, surprised by the certainty in her tone.
“I’ve seen that side of him,” she continued. “He never hurt me. Not once. Not me, not the kids. He protected us. Like a family p>
She finally turned to look at him. “And we are a family now p>
Kael was quiet for a moment. Then he nodded.
“I see,” he said simply. “If it’s you saying this, I trust you. You’ve always had sharp eyes—good at reading people p>
He paused, then added gently, “But just so you know… if you ever need me, call me p>
She smiled faintly.
“Call me even if you don’t need anything,” Kael said with a half-smile. “I’ll feel better knowing you did p>
When the giant wheel finally slowed and came to a stop, the kids practically bounced out of their seats.
“Roller coaster!” Ivy announced excitedly, already tugging at Mira’s hand.
“The kids’ one,” Lucien added quickly, as if negotiating terms.
Mira laughed and nodded. “Alright, alright p>
She helped them into the small roller coaster, buckling them in carefully, reminding them to hold tight. Their faces glowed with anticipation as the ride operator gave a thumbs-up.
“I’ll grab snacks,” Kael said, already heading toward a nearby stall.
By the time the ride ended and the kids came running back, he was waiting with ice creams in his hands and a bag filled with candies.
Mira’s eyes lit up. “You know I love ice cream,” she said, taking one from him.
“Of course,” Kael replied easily. “Every girl does. You’re not that special.” He smirked. “I just happen to remember every little detail about you p>
She rolled her eyes, but her smile gave her away as she took a bite, clearly enjoying it.
They watched the kids run ahead, arguing cheerfully over which candy belonged to whom.
Kael fell quiet.
After a moment, he spoke again, slower this time. “Can I ask you something p>
She turned toward him. “Yes p>
He looked down at the ground instead of at her, jaw tightening slightly. “Do you… by any chance… like him p>
She didn’t hesitate. Not even a second.
“I love him,” she said simply.
The words were gentle—but final.
Something in Kael cracked anyway.
He’d known the answer before he asked. He’d always known. Still, hearing it out loud felt like accepting a loss he had pretended wasn’t real.
He let out a quiet scoff, more at himself than anything else. “Ah… I see,” he murmured. “No wonder p>
He looked back up, forcing a small smile. “Guess my luck was never great to begin with p>
Mira watched him carefully. There was no anger in his eyes—just acceptance. And something unspoken.
The kids came running back toward them, laughter filling the space between what could never be.
Kael straightened, slipping his usual ease back into place. “Come on,” he said lightly. “Let’s not waste the day.” he forces a smile.
And just like that, he stepped aside—making room for the love she had already chosen.
They spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying more rides, games, and endless laughter. By the time the sun dipped low and the sky softened into shades of orange and violet, exhaustion finally settled in—pleasant and full.
As evening approached, they made their way back to Draymond Tower.
Kael parked the car and helped the kids out, grabbing their little bags. “Alright,” he said with a stretch, “I’ll head home now p>
“Wait,” Mira said quickly. “Have some coffee first. You must be tired p>
He hesitated. “You sure p>
“Please,” she insisted gently.
He smiled. “Okay p>
They walked inside together. The kids immediately dragged Kael toward the living room, eager to show him their toys. He joined them easily, sitting on the floor and playing along as their laughter echoed through the space.
Mira headed into the kitchen to prepare coffee, humming softly as she worked.
Then—the doorbell rang.
She wiped her hands and walked to the door, opening it without a second thought.
Cassian stood there.
He looked calmer than he’d been that morning, his expression almost neutral—but only for a second. The moment his eyes shifted past her shoulder and landed on Kael inside the apartment, something dark slipped back into place.
He stepped inside without a greeting.
“Why is he here again?” Cassian asked coldly.
Mira turned, startled. “We actually went to p>
“Send him now,” Cassian cut her off sharply. “Then meet me in the room p>
His tone left no space for argument.
He turned on his heel and walked straight toward the bedroom, the door slamming shut behind him with a loud, angry thud.
The sudden silence that followed was heavy.
Kael stood up slowly, already understanding. “Guess I should go,” he said quietly, forcing a small smile. “I’ll have that coffee some other day p>
Mira nodded, guilt and frustration tightening her chest. “Thank you… for today. Really p>
He glanced at the kids and waved. “Bye, hurricanes p>
“Bye!” they chirped back, unaware of the tension that lingered in the air.
Kael gave Mira one last look—gentle, resigned—before turning and leaving.
The door closed softly behind him.
Mira stood there for a moment, staring at the hallway leading to the bedroom… knowing a storm was waiting for her on the other side.
And this time, she wasn’t sure how to calm him.
But she walked in anyway.
“Cassian she started, closing the door behind her.
He didn’t look at her. His eyes were fixed on the floor, his jaw tight.
“He… we she stuttered, unsure how to begin.
Cassian finally looked up, his eyes burning with anger.
“Why?!” he snapped. “Why does he keep coming back p>
Mira’s heart pounded. “Cassian, I p>
“I don’t like him!” he cut her off. “I don’t want him around you. Not around my kids either p>
She swallowed hard, her voice barely audible. “Cassian… I’m not p>
He stepped closer, his voice rising. “What does he mean to you?! A lover? A boyfriend? Or are you his secret mistress p>
That did it.
The tears started falling—hot and uncontrollable. They streamed down her cheeks as her body shook.
Cassian’s anger softened for a moment, but only slightly. His eyes flickered with something else—pain.
He grabbed her shoulder, forcing her to look at him.
“Look into my eyes,” he demanded, his voice low and harsh.
She lifted her gaze, tears blurring her vision.
“You’re mine,” he said, his tone dangerous and possessive. “Understood p>
His grip tightened.
“Don’t forget who you belong to,” he continued, voice cold. “You’re my property. And I won’t share what’s mine p>
His eyes darkened as he leaned in, his words slicing through the air.
“Anyone who tries will learn what it means to be warned,” he whispered.
His jaw tightened.
“I’ll fucking break their bones p>