marked by midnight: the enemy's heiress-Chapter 57 : After celebration

From a distance, Livia and Ryan watched everything unfold.

They hadn’t meant to intrude; Cassian had insisted they stay back with the twins until the right moment. But when Mira said yes — when the sky lit up and the children ran forward — Livia felt something inside her crack open, soft and sudden.

A single tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it.

Ryan noticed immediately. The teasing edge of his expression vanished, replaced by something quieter, careful. He stepped closer and patted her back gently.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

She nodded, though another tear escaped. "Yeah... I just... I’ve never seen her this happy."

They watched Cassian lift Mira, spinning her once before setting her down carefully, as if she were something sacred.

"She used to pretend she didn’t believe in this," Livia whispered, voice low. "In forever. In family. After everything... she told herself she didn’t need it."

Ryan stayed silent, letting her speak.

"And now look at her," Livia continued, voice thick. "She has the man she loves. Her kids. A future she doesn’t have to fight for anymore." She swallowed hard. "She deserves this. She deserves all of it."

Ryan’s hand lingered a moment longer. "Yeah," he said quietly. "She does."

Livia sniffed and wiped her cheeks. "Anyway," she added, forcing a small smile, "is he planning the wedding here too?"

Ryan glanced toward the lanterns still flickering on the sand. "I was about to ask him."

"It probably won’t be here," she said thoughtfully. "They’d both want their parents present for the official ceremony. If I’m not mistaken."

He nodded. "You’re probably right."

A comfortable silence fell between them, filled only with the distant sound of the twins laughing and the ocean rolling in.

"Before I go," Ryan said suddenly.

Livia turned. "What?"

"There’s something I need to say."

She studied him. He didn’t look like himself — no easy grin, no casual confidence. He looked... nervous.

She folded her arms lightly. "Okay?"

He inhaled slowly. "I know you haven’t really moved on from your ex, but—"

"What?" she asked, caught off guard.

He shut his eyes as if bracing himself.

"Will you go out with me?"

Her breath stalled.

His words tumbled out quickly, urgent and sincere. "I don’t want you to end up choosing someone else later. Or deciding not to date anyone at all before I even get the chance. I wanted to be the one who asked first."

His voice softened. "It’s okay if you don’t want to. I mean... I get it."

But he looked away immediately, jaw tight — like he wasn’t fully convincing himself. Like it mattered more than he admitted.

Livia blinked at him, caught off guard.

Of all nights. Of all days.

Behind them, Cassian held up Mira’s hand again, showing her the ring as the twins argued over who had helped more with the surprise.

"You’re serious?" she asked quietly.

Ryan exhaled, a little ragged. "Yeah."

She studied him again. No teasing. No games. Just honesty.

"I’m not asking for anything dramatic," he said, softer now. "Just dinner. A chance. If it works, great. If it doesn’t... at least I tried."

The vulnerability in his voice shifted something inside her. For the first time, she wasn’t thinking about the past. She was thinking about the possibility of something new. About him.

She held his gaze long enough to make him visibly uncomfortable.

"So..." she said slowly, tilting her head, studying him like he was a math problem she might fail. "You picked my sister’s proposal night — fireworks, drones, violin, emotional chaos everywhere — to ask me out?"

Ryan flinched. "When you say it like that... it sounds—"

"Bold," she interrupted. "Very bold. Slightly unhinged."

He blinked. "Is that a yes or—"

She sighed dramatically. "Ryan, you do realize I come with chaos, right? Emotional baggage. Overthinking at 2 a.m. Random commentary on food. I will steal your fries. I will critique your music taste."

"I can handle that," he said. "I talk during movies, I’ve survived worse."

She narrowed her eyes. "That sounded personal."

He almost smiled. "Liv."

She held his gaze a beat longer, then let her act drop just a little — enough for warmth to shine through.

"Fine," she said casually, waving a hand. "You may take me to dinner."

He froze. "Wait. That’s—?"

"Yes," she said quickly, before overthinking. "It’s a yes. Relax before you pass out."

His shoulders loosened.

"But," she added, pointing a warning finger, "if this turns into an awkward pity-date, I reserve the right to dramatically fake a phone call and escape."

Ryan laughed quietly, relief spreading across his face. "Deal."

"And I’m not promising I won’t overanalyze everything you say."

"I expect nothing less."

She stepped closer, nudging his arm lightly. "Also... just so you know, you don’t get to say ’it’s okay if you don’t want to’ as though you were prepared. You looked like you might throw up."

He groaned. "I was not."

"Okay, cool. Now go talk to Cassian about his plans, or we’ll never stop this conversation," she said, smirking.

He let out a resigned sigh, but the smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. With a quick nod, he ran toward Cassian and Mira, his steps light, almost skipping.

"Mr. Draymond," he whispered, careful, "can we talk about the arrangements for the wedding ceremony?"

"I can hear you," Mira interrupted, eyes sparkling. "And this time, you’re not planning it without me."

Cassian chuckled, low and warm. "Of course, baby. You’re the bride."

"First," Mira said, playful yet commanding, "let’s go somewhere for dinner. Then we’ll talk details." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Okay, ma’am," Cassian replied, amused.

The evening passed in laughter and light conversation. Plates were cleared, desserts shared, and stories exchanged — silly, random, perfect in their simplicity.

Once the laughter subsided, Mira’s eyes lit up with mischief. "Wait. What if we plan our wedding in Mexico?"

Cassian raised an eyebrow. "Not bad," he said thoughtfully. "Beautiful beaches, warm weather, amazing food... I like where your head’s at."

"Do you have a specific place in mind?" he asked.

"Nope," she admitted, shrugging. "We’ll decide with a planner. Plenty of gorgeous venues."

Cassian reached across the table, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Then it’s settled. Mexico it is. Somehow, I have a feeling it’s going to be perfect — just like us."

Mira smiled, eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Perfect. Absolutely perfect."

The idea lingered in the air, full of promise and quiet laughter.

"So... Mexico?" he teased.

Mira laughed. "Only if you promise not to complain the entire time."

"I make no promises," he said, pretending sternness. His grin betrayed him.

"Good," she said softly. "Because it’s not the place. It’s about us."

"Us," Cassian said gently. "Always us." He leaned closer, thumb brushing her knuckles. "I don’t care where we are, as long as it’s with you."

Mira tilted her head. "Even when I steal your fries?"

"Even then," he said, pulling her slightly closer. "You’re impossible, you know that?"

"Stupid?" she teased.

"Stupid, yes. And yet... utterly irresistible," he replied, pressing a soft kiss to her temple.

She laughed, leaning into him, the sound mingling with the faint rustle of the evening breeze and the distant waves.

Then, back in their rooms, Mira flopped dramatically onto the bed.

"That was a great time," she said, breathless.

"Glad that’s what I planned," Cassian replied, removing his T-shirt as he approached her. "But I haven’t gotten the actual reward for planning it yet."

She understood what he meant. "No other rewards until... ahem... wedding night," she said, teasing.

He chuckled. "Well, I’m not hoping for the same as our contractual wedding night before."

"Of course it won’t be," she laughed.

He lifted her effortlessly in a bridal-style hold. "But at least we can shower together. Let’s save water," he said playfully.

Cassian—she gasped.

He guided her into the warm shower, hands gentle as they reached for her clothes. Steam curled around them as the water cascaded down. His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close.

"You’re so warm," he murmured against her ear. His chest rose and fell with each breath. "Can I wash you?"

She nodded, pulse fluttering.

He licked his lips slightly at her nod, moving slowly, deliberately, letting his hands glide over her shoulders, tracing gentle lines across her back and arms. Each motion carried quiet intensity, a promise hidden in the care of his touch.

"You smell amazing," he murmured softly, lips brushing the sensitive skin of her neck. His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. He tilted her chin up with a finger, gaze locked on hers. "Thank you... for saying yes. For trusting me. For letting me be yours."

Their foreheads touched, water dripping down both of their faces, hearts beating in quiet synchrony. The warmth of the water, the closeness, and the steady, silent rhythm between them made the world outside seem to vanish.

For a long moment, they stayed like that — wrapped together, present, and unshakably connected, as if the universe had shrunk to this single, perfect instant.