Morning sunlight spilled softly through the tall curtains, warming the quiet penthouse as Mira slowly blinked awake. Her head felt heavy, not from sleep but from everything that had happened the night before, the confrontation, the fear, the rumors, Cassian dragging the truth out of a grown man like it was nothing. She remembered the way he towered over the gossip-monger, the sharp edge in his voice, the way he wasn't protecting his reputation but hers.
She sat up slowly, hugging the blanket to her chest, still not fully used to being in Cassian Draymond's space, under his roof, under his responsibility. It felt strange, comforting yet terrifying.
A sound made her lift her eyes.
Cassian walked out from the dressing area, buttoning the last button of a sleek black shirt that fit him too perfectly. The morning light hit him from the side, shaping his frame like he had walked straight out of a magazine shoot, sharp jaw, serious eyes, shoulders broad enough to make anyone stare.
And Mira stared.
Her breath paused before she realized what she was doing.
Cassian's eyes lifted. He picked up his coffee cup and took a slow sip, never breaking eye contact.
"You're staring at me," he said casually, his tone low and calm.
Mira's heart jumped. "No, I'm not."
"You are." He smirked faintly, not in arrogance, but in the kind of confidence that made her look away immediately.
She turned her eyes to the window, cheeks warming. Cassian set the cup down and crossed his arms, studying her for a moment as if trying to figure out what was running through her mind.
"We have a full day ahead," he said, shifting into his business tone. "I'm ending the rumors today."
She blinked. "You… you are?"
"Yes." His voice didn't waver. "But until things cool down, you won't stay here."
Her stomach tightened. "Then… where will I go?"
"To someone I trust." Cassian poured another cup of coffee, handing it to her. She hesitated, then accepted it gently.
"My aunt will take you in."
"Aunt?" Mira repeated.
"She's not my blood aunt," Cassian explained. "But she raised me more than anyone else did. My housekeeper since I was a child. Her place is small, warm, and far away from any media radar. No one will think to look there."
Mira nodded slowly. "Okay… if you think it's the safest."
"It is." His voice softened for a moment. "And… you don't have to be afraid there."
Mira looked down at the coffee, her fingers warming around the cup. She wasn't sure what felt more confusing, his protectiveness or his distance. He was cold the first time she met him, colder the night they made the mistake that changed everything. But now… he was careful. Responsible. Almost gentle.
She didn't understand it.
And she didn't know if she wanted to.
Cassian's "aunt," Aunt Mayla, lived in a cozy house tucked behind an old residential lane near the sea. It was quiet, almost too peaceful, the kind of place where nothing dramatic could possibly happen. Perfect for hiding a scandal.
They reached the porch, and Aunt Mayla immediately gasped, pulling Cassian into a motherly hug before greeting Mira with open arms.
"My boy bringing a girl home? God must be shaking the sky," she teased.
Cassian stiffened, eyes sharp. "Aunt."
Mira almost laughed.
Almost.
Inside, the house smelled of warm bread and old wood. Mira felt a knot loosen in her chest, she hadn't felt this kind of home atmosphere since being thrown out of the Serrano mansion.
Cassian let her settle in, helped her carry her bag to the guest room, and made sure she had everything. When she stepped out into the living room again, he was by the window talking to someone on the phone, voice clipped and serious, probably dealing with the scandal.
But then someone familiar walked through the front door.
Mira froze.
Her childhood crush, Rafael Arden.
He looked older, sharper, his once-soft boyish features now defined, wearing a crisp blazer and expensive watch. His eyes widened when he saw Mira.
"Mira? What… what are you doing here?"
Aunt Mayla smiled. "He comes by for lunch sometimes. He lives down the street."
Rafael stepped closer, concern immediately settling on his face. "Are you okay? I saw the news. I tried calling you.. are you alright?"
Mira nodded. "I… I'm fine."
He exhaled in relief, then frowned. "You shouldn't stay here. Not with him." Rafael lowered his voice, glancing at Cassian. "I don't trust him. You know that rivalry between your family and his. Come with me instead. I'll take care of you. I'll.. I'll..marry you if I have to. You don't have to risk your future by staying at a Draymond estate."
The words hit her like cold water.
Marriage?
She used to fantasize about him when she was young, about him noticing her, liking her back. But those were childish feelings, long faded. She didn't feel anything like that now. Not even a flutter.
She swallowed. "Rafael… I trust Cassian."
Rafael's face changed, shock, disbelief, hurt, something sharp and ugly. Before he could respond, a shadow approached from behind.
Cassian.
He stood tall, quiet, presence heavy enough to fill the room.
"I'll marry her," Cassian said calmly.
Mira's heart stopped.
Rafael turned sharply. "What?"
Cassian didn't blink. "You heard me."
Rafael's jaw tensed. "You think this is a game? You think marriage is something you can declare whenever you want?"
"This isn't a game," Cassian said. "This is responsibility."
Mira stared at them both, her breath shaking. Her chest felt tight, confusion, shock, a strange rush of warmth and fear tangled inside her.
Rafael glared at Cassian one last time before his phone rang. The moment he saw the caller ID, he cursed under his breath.
"I have to go." He stepped close to Mira, voice low. "But I'll be back. And we'll talk properly. I'm not letting this go."
He left with eyes still burning in Cassian's direction.
As soon as the door closed, silence fell.
Cassian turned to Mira.
"What I said earlier," he began, voice steady, "I meant it."
She shook her head, overwhelmed. "Cassian… we can't. Our families..your father hates mine. My father hates yours. We can't just pretend.."
"We won't pretend," he said. "It will be a contract marriage."
Her breath hitched.
"No emotions. No interference in personal lives. No intimacy unless you want it." His tone was firm yet unexpectedly gentle. "This is only to protect you, and the child. To make things easier for us both."
She was silent for a long time. Her thoughts twisted, arguing with each other. She didn't know if she could trust him. She didn't know if she had another choice.
But she remembered the way her father threw her out. The way Cassian stood in front of her the night before. The way he was the only one who said, I'll take care of you.
After what felt like forever, she whispered, "Okay."
Cassian exhaled slowly, nodding once. "Good."
He turned away, fixing his cuffs. "I have to go. The press conference is in an hour."
She looked at him with unsure eyes. "What will you say?"
"The truth," he said without hesitation. "That Serranos and Draymonds will turn rivalry into family."
Her lips parted in surprise.
Cassian opened the door, paused, and glanced back at her, his eyes softer than she had ever seen.
"Stay here. Rest. I'll handle everything."
Then he left, the sound of the door clicking shut echoing through the warm, quiet house.
Mira sank onto the sofa, holding her trembling hands.
What is happening to my life?
How did everything change this fast?
And why… why does being under his protection not feel wrong?
She didn't have the answer.
But she knew one thing
From this moment on, nothing would ever be the same again.