marked by midnight: the enemy's heiress

Chapter 66 : Back to reality

The flight back felt shorter than it should’ve.

Maybe because Mira barely slept. Or maybe because every time she closed her eyes, Cassian’s hand would find hlon, steady, warm, like a silent reminder that she wasn’t dreaming.

By the time the plane landed, the honeymoon glow had already started to fade... replaced by reality.

Cassian didn’t say much when they stepped out of the airport. He was still gentle with her—still close—but Mira noticed the shift instantly.

The way his shoulders straightened.

The way his jaw tightened slightly.

The way his eyes sharpened, scanning everything like he was already ten steps ahead.

CEO mode.

The black car was waiting before they even reached the curb.

Ryan stood near it, looking like he hadn’t slept in two days, tablet in hand and expression serious.

"Welcome back, sir," he said, opening the door immediately. Then his gaze flicked to Mira, polite but careful. "Ma’am."

Cassian nodded once, already slipping into command.

"Give me the rundown."

Ryan exhaled like he’d been waiting for permission to breathe.

"The investors moved the timeline forward. They want the final signature today. And there’s another issue—one of the board members is stalling. I tried to delay, but they refused."

Cassian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Of course they did."

Mira stayed quiet, watching the conversation unfold.

She wasn’t offended.

But she felt it.

The warmth of Mexico was still on her skin... but Cassian Draymond was already leaving that world behind.

Ryan continued, "Your schedule is packed. Two meetings, one press call, and the private dinner with the overseas investors tonight. If we leave now, we can make it on time."

Cassian glanced at Mira, his expression softening just a fraction.

It wasn’t enough to hide the tension behind his eyes.

But it was enough to remind her—she was still his priority, even when the world demanded him.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear.

"I’m sorry," he murmured. "I didn’t want our first day back to start like this."

Mira forced a small smile.

"It’s okay," she said gently. "I knew who I married."

Cassian’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment too long

---

Then he kissed her forehead, lingering for just a second longer than necessary.

"I’ll meet you at home after the meeting," he murmured. "I love you."

Mira’s chest warmed instantly.

"I love you too," she whispered back.

Cassian gave her one last look—one of those looks that made her feel like the only thing that mattered in his world—before turning and heading toward the waiting car that would take him straight to the company.

Mira watched him disappear into the crowd, the reality of being back slowly settling over her.

The honeymoon bubble really was gone.

And just like that... Cassian Draymond was back to being Cassian Draymond.

She exhaled quietly and stepped into the car that would take her home alone.

-------------------

At Home

The mansion door opened with a soft click.

Mira stepped inside, her heels tapping lightly against the marble floor. The masion was too quiet. It felt strange after the warmth of Mexico, after the ocean breeze and Cassian’s constant presence beside her.

She shut the door behind her and stood there for a moment, staring into the empty living room.

Then she sighed.

Without even bothering to take off her bag, she walked over to the couch and dropped onto it, sinking into the cushions like her body had been holding exhaustion back until this exact second.

She tilted her head against the armrest and stared at the ceiling.

"Good times end too fast," she muttered to herself, voice barely above a whisper. "Time flies when you’re with the people you love."

The thought made her smile faintly... but the quiet quickly swallowed it.

Her eyes drifted toward the family photo on the shelf, Cassian, Ivy, Lucien... and her.

A soft ache tugged at her chest.

"Oh well," she whispered, pushing herself upright. "At least I have my babies."

Her expression brightened a little as she reached for her phone.

"I should call them back home."

She quickly dialed Cassian’s parents.

The phone rang twice before it was answered.

"Hello?" her mother-in-law’s warm voice came through. "Hi, honey."

Mira relaxed instantly, leaning back into the couch.

"Hi, Mom," she said softly. "How’s everything going?"

"Oh, we’re good," Cassian’s mother replied, sounding cheerful. "How about you? You two back already?"

Mira let out a small laugh. "Yeah... we just got home. Mexico was amazing. I wish it lasted longer."

"Aww," her mother-in-law said sympathetically. "Honeymoon days always go too fast."

Mira smiled. "True."

There was a brief pause, and then Mira asked gently, "So... are the kids home?"

Cassian’s mother chuckled.

"Not exactly," she admitted. "We’re out with them right now. Lucien begged us to take them to the aquarium. He was practically bouncing in the car."

Mira laughed, instantly picturing him.

"Of course he did."

"And Ivy didn’t even want to come at first," Cassian’s mother continued. "But the moment we mentioned penguins, she acted like she’s the one who planned the whole trip."

Mira’s smile softened.

"That sounds like her."

"We thought we’d give you and Cassian a little more quiet time at home," her mother-in-law added gently. "You two deserve it."

Mira’s heart warmed at that.

"That’s really sweet of you," she said sincerely. "Thank you."

"Of course," her mother-in-law replied. "We’ll bring them home soon. Don’t worry."

"Okay," Mira said softly. "Enjoy. And please be careful."

"We will, honey. I’ll call you if anything changes."

"Alright," Mira replied. "Love you."

"Love you too."

The call ended.

Mira lowered her phone and let out a slow breath, her body sinking deeper into the couch.

The quiet returned instantly.

But now it didn’t feel lonely.

It just felt... calm.

For a moment, she allowed herself to simply sit there, listening to the silence of the mansion, thinking about Cassian in his meeting, thinking about her kids laughing somewhere in an aquarium, and thinking about how strange life was.

How fast everything could change.

Just a few years ago, she never would’ve imagined this life.

Now it was hers.

Her eyes fluttered shut for a second.

—-----------

On the Other Side...

The aquarium was bright, crowded, and filled with excited voices.

The smell of popcorn, salty pretzels, and sugary drinks lingered in the air as families walked past massive glass tanks.

Lucien held his grandfather’s hand tightly, his eyes wide with wonder as he stared at a school of shimmering fish swimming in perfect circles.

"Grandpa!" he gasped. "Look! That one is huge!"

Cassian’s father chuckled warmly, bending slightly so he could see where Lucien was pointing.

"That’s a grouper," he said. "They can get pretty big."

Lucien’s mouth dropped open.

"I want one."

His grandmother laughed softly. "Sweetheart, you can’t keep a fish that big in your room."

Lucien frowned as if personally offended by that fact.

"Why not?"

Ivy walked beside them, arms crossed like a tiny queen, her expression serious as she stared at the jellyfish tank.

"They look like ghosts," she said, unimpressed. "But... pretty ghosts."

Lucien turned to her dramatically.

"They’re not ghosts! They’re jellyfish!"

Ivy narrowed her eyes. "And you’re annoying."

Lucien gasped. "I’m not annoying!"

"You are," Ivy said flatly.

Their grandmother sighed in amusement. "Please don’t start fighting in public."

Lucien looked up innocently. "We’re not fighting."

Ivy nodded. "We’re discussing."

Cassian’s father laughed under his breath, shaking his head.

"Draymond children," he muttered proudly.

Their grandmother leaned down and fixed Lucien’s collar properly. "Stay close, okay? It’s crowded."

Lucien nodded eagerly.

"I will."

He was too excited to be scared.

Too excited to notice how many strangers were around, and a suspicious man standing near the far hallway watching.