too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian)

Lila closed her eyes briefly. "It doesn't matter anymore. None of this has anything to do with me. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."

She turned to go, but Dorian's expression darkened. He grabbed her wrist again and, before she could react, yanked her forcefully toward the side.

The pull was so sudden and strong that Lila stumbled, nearly falling. When she tried to free herself, Dorian's grip tightened, twisting her wrist painfully. Her brows furrowed at the sharp discomfort.

"Let go of me, or I'll call for help!"

Dorian ignored her threat and dragged her to his car. He opened the door and tried to push her inside.

Clinging to the car door, Lila realized he had completely lost it. His eyes were bloodshot as he looked down at her.

"Lila, do you still love me?" he asked, his gaze searching her face for even the faintest sign of affection, anything to give him hope.

However, all he found was cold disdain and unmistakable disgust. Her expression was resolute, keeping him at a distance that felt impossible to breach.

Dorian's chest tightened, a sharp, almost physical pain spreading through his body. Only now did he finally understand—Lila's repeated refusals weren't out of stubbornness or spite. She didn't love him anymore. She had let go of everything they had, leaving no room for reconciliation.

Her indifference cut deeper than any words.

Lila glanced at his desperate, tear-filled eyes and laughed quietly, almost mockingly. The fact that he could still ask such a question after everything had happened was both pathetic and absurd.

Lowering her gaze, she began prying his fingers off her wrist, one by one.

Stung by her rejection, Dorian grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. His voice was low and menacing, and every word was laced with desperation.noveldrama

"Even if you no longer love me, it doesn't matter. You didn't love me at first, either. I've got all the time in the world to make you fall for me again."

Lila pushed him away with all her strength, her expression icy and unfamiliar. "Dorian, do you really not see how disgusting this is?"

Their relationship had ended cleanly-or at least it should have. He stopped loving her first, and she chose to leave. It should have been over.

"Lila, you're forcing my hand. Come back to me, and I promise I won't—"

Before he could finish, he was shoved to the ground by a sharp kick.

"Enough with the whining, mutt," a laid-back voice cut through. "It's unbearable to listen to, and Lila isn't yours to touch."

Noah entered the scene, glancing at Lila's reddened chin and the bruises forming on her wrist. His expression darkened.

Wrapping an arm protectively around Lila, Noah turned his gaze to Dorian, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"I told you before this guy wasn't worth it, but you didn't listen. Look at him now. No wonder I've been

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hearing about all the messes he's gotten himself into lately."

He leaned in slightly, his tone dripping with mockery. "What's the matter Dorian? Did you pull some shady stunt to leech off Lila's good fortune? Borrowed luck doesn't last, you know."

The insinuation was absurd, but it struck a nerve in Dorian, whose pride was already in shreds. Noah had always been a sore point for him, a constant reminder of his

inadequacies.

"What right do you have to meddle in our business?" Dorian snapped, his voice dangerously low.

Noah chuckled, his grin unbothered. "And what right do you have to meddle in Lila's life?"

Without waiting for a response, Noah steered Lila away, leaving Dorian standing there, seething.

"Lila," Dorian called after her, his tone icy. "Even if you hate me, I won't let you go. We're bound together for life."

Lila didn't look back, but her lips curved into a faint, bitter smile.

For life. Once, it had been their most cherished promise. Now, it was nothing but a cruel joke.

Noah didn't bother turning around but tossed a single word over his shoulder. "Delusional."

Once they were in the car, his usual carefree demeanor had vanished. He glanced at Lila, his jaw tight.

"Do you have any medicine at home?" he asked abruptly.

Lila blinked, momentarily confused. "What?"