Chapter 37
The moment she left the room, the silence hit him like a punch.
Cassian froze.
Then it sank in.
“Fuck He dragged a hand through his hair, pacing once before stopping abruptly. “I shouldn’t have said that. A lover? A mistress?” He scoffed bitterly at himself. “Fucking idiot p>
He clenched his jaw, anger turning inward now, sharp and unforgiving.
“I messed up,” he muttered, the words tasting like regret.
With a frustrated groan, he dropped onto the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees, head falling into his hands.
Too far.
He’d gone too far this time.
Meanwhile, Mira sat alone in the other room, curled in on herself.
Her sobs came quietly, breaking through her chest as his words replayed over and over in her mind—each one cutting deeper than the last.
What does he think I am?
“I never thought he’d say that to me she whispered, voice trembling. “I hate him p>
Her hands shook as she wiped at her tears, anger and hurt tangling together.
“I shouldn’t have praised Cassian in front of Kael,” she murmured bitterly. “I’m so dumb p>
She buried her face in her hands, shoulders trembling as she tried—and failed—to calm herself.
Just then, her phone rang.
She startled slightly, glancing at the screen.
Aurora.
Mira sniffed, quickly wiping her cheeks and forcing her breathing to steady. She cleared her throat before answering.
“Hii,” she said, managing a weak brightness. “Aurora… how have you been p>
“I’m good, sweetie,” Aurora replied warmly. “How about you p>
Mira swallowed. “I’m great,” she lied smoothly, even though her voice wavered just a little.
“Oh! Actually,” Aurora continued excitedly, “I’m in your country right now. Want to hang out? Just girls—maybe a bar p>
Mira hesitated, her fingers tightening around the phone. “I—I can’t tonight. I’m sorry p>
“Please,” Aurora pleaded softly. “I’m leaving tomorrow morning. I only came for business. I miss you p>
Mira closed her eyes.
After a moment, she exhaled. “Okay,” she said quietly. “But I have kids. I might have to go home early—two hours. Not more than that p>
“Deal,” Aurora laughed. “Two hours with my favorite girl is enough p>
Mira managed a small smile as she ended the call—one that didn’t quite reach her eyes, but felt like the first step out of the suffocating weight in her chest.
She didn’t inform Cassian. But she did inform the kids. And then she just left.
Some time later, Cassian finally stepped out of the bedroom, the anger from earlier drained and replaced by something far heavier.
Regret.
“Mira he called, his voice softer now.
No answer.
He walked into her room—empty.
The bed is untouched. Her phone is missing.
A faint unease crept into his chest.
He checked the living room. The kitchen. The balcony.
Nothing.
His jaw tightened as he pulled out his phone and called her.
Once.
Twice.
No response.
Concern replaced irritation entirely now.
He turned toward the kids’ room, pushing the door open quietly. Lucien and Ivy were already in bed, blankets pulled up, eyes heavy with sleep.
“Lucien… Ivy,” he said gently. “Did you see your mommy p>
Lucien nodded. “Yes. Mommy said she’s going to meet her friend. She said she’ll come back soon p>
Cassian frowned slightly. “At this hour?” he muttered under his breath.
“It’s Aunt Aurora,” Ivy added sleepily, rubbing her eyes. “We met her. She’s a good person p>
That didn’t ease the tightness in his chest.
He nodded slowly. “Alright p>
As he turned to leave, Lucien spoke again, his small voice earnest. “Please close the door when you go out, Mr. Cassian p>
Cassian paused, then nodded. “I will p>
He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to each of their foreheads.
“Night-night, Mr. Cassian,” they murmured together.
“Night… night,” he replied, forcing a smile.
As he closed the door softly behind him, the smile faded.
His mind replayed the last scene with Mira—her tears, her silence, the way she walked away.
Cassian went back to his room, but sleep never came.
Minutes stretched into hours.
He paced the length of the room, running a hand through his hair again and again, his thoughts spiraling—Is she okay? Why hasn’t she called?
One hour passed. Then two. Then three.
By the fourth, the night felt suffocating.
The faint sound of the main door finally opening cut through the silence.
Mira slipped inside quietly, peeking around as if checking whether anyone was awake.
And then—
Cassian stood right in front of her.
She startled, gasping. “Oh, mother p>
“Where were you at this hour?” Cassian demanded.
She recovered quickly and walked past him without a word.
His jaw clenched. “Answer me p>
“I don’t need to,” she replied coldly.
“You do,” he snapped. “You have to. You can’t just go out without telling me. I was fucking worried p>
She scoffed, not even turning back. “Huh. Forget it p>
“I won’t p>
He grabbed her arm, grip tight. “You think you can just leave without telling me, darling?” His voice dropped, dangerous. “No. Go wherever you want—I’ll chase you to hell p>
He released her abruptly.
Mira shoved past him and stormed into her room, slamming the door behind her with a loud thud.
The sound echoed through the apartment.
Cassian stood there for a moment, chest rising and falling, anger burning hot in his veins.
Then he turned sharply, went back to his own room, and shut the door just as hard.
The night swallowed the silence again—thick, tense, and unresolved.
The next morning, Mira woke up to an empty bed.
And Cassian was already gone.
A small sense of relief fluttered through her, and she rolled her eyes as she sat up.
At least I don’t have to see his face this morning p>
Scary monster.
She let the thought fade and forced herself to get up.
She headed straight for the shower, letting the cold water wash away the tension and the anger from the previous night. The chill helped her calm down, even if only slightly.
After dressing, she went to the kitchen. The kids soon woke up and began their morning routine—sleepy eyes, messy hair, and loud giggles.
Mira prepared breakfast—flipping pancakes and making toast—while the kids chatted excitedly about games and toys.
They ate happily, unaware of the storm still brewing inside her.
Mira ate too—but she was distant, zoning out as she stared at the table.
That’s when Ryan walked in, holding shopping bags.
“Good morning, ma’am,” he greeted politely.
Mira forced a small smile. “Good morning p>
Ryan placed the bags on the counter.
“Mr. Draymond sent these for you p>
Mira frowned. “For me p>
Ryan nodded. “He wants you to wear them for tonight’s party p>
“Party?” Mira repeated, rolling her eyes. “Who says I’m going p>
“No one,” Ryan said carefully. “Mr. Draymond ordered p>
Mira’s expression hardened.
“And I’m not working under orders just to follow them,” she said, her voice sharp.
Ryan held her gaze. “He strictly ordered you to attend the party and wear these p>
Mira paused for a moment, weighing her options. She looked down at the kids, laughing at their own little world, and then back at the bags.
“Fine,” she said finally. “But I’m wearing what I already have p>
Ryan’s expression turned serious. He gave her that look—the one that said she shouldn’t test him.
“Ma’am,” he said again, softer this time.
Mira sighed, giving in. “Fine,” she whined. “That cold ass. Hmph. I hate him more every second p>
She told herself. It was a lie, but her anger still burned.
She took the dresses from the bags and watched the kids jump excitedly at the word party.
“Yay! Party! Party!” they cheered, clapping their hands.
Mira tried to ignore their happiness and focus on the task.
She went into the bedroom and began trying on the outfit.
When she slipped into the dress, she froze.
It was beautiful.
But too revealing.
She stood in front of the mirror, her cheeks flushing as she took in her appearance.
This… is too much.
Her heart beat faster.
She looked away quickly, trying to hide her blush.
The dress hugged her in all the right places. It clung to her curves like it was made for her body, highlighting her collarbones and showing just enough of her cleavage to be dangerously tempting. It wasn’t too short, but it was hot—the kind of dress that made a statement without saying a word.
Mira stared at herself in the mirror, her cheeks burning.
Her heart pounded.
She couldn’t deny it looked amazing.
But she also couldn’t deny how exposed she felt.
She took a shaky breath and grabbed her phone.
She dialed Cassian.
The call connected on the first ring—like he’d been waiting for it.
“What?” he asked, voice cool and calm.
Mira swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady.
“What… what is this?” she demanded. “I can’t wear this p>
Cassian didn’t hesitate.
“That’s not your decision,” he said, voice low and firm. “I decide what you wear. I want to see you in that dress. End of discussion p>
He ended the call without waiting for her response, as if her words didn’t matter.
Mira stared at the phone, her blood boiling.
“You fucking ice king!” she screamed into the empty air, her voice cracking with frustration.