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

"Your wrist," Noah reminded her.

Lila glanced down at her swollen wrist, which throbbed painfully. It was likely sprained.

"Yeah. I do. What are you doing here anyway?"

"What could I possibly want?" Noah scoffed with a smirk. "I just had a feeling you'd run into that mutt today, so I came to break up the party."

She sighed at his sarcasm, but she didn't get angry. She knew Noah's disdain for Dorian was mutual.

When she and Dorian were dating, Noah had only met him twice before bluntly declaring he wasn't good enough for her and telling her to break it off before she got in too deep.

At the time, Lila had just started dating Dorian. His attentiveness and care made her think Noah was simply being unreasonable. Besides, Dorian always seemed uneasy around Noah, so Lila avoided putting them in the same room.

Looking back now, Lila didn't regret being with Dorian. For a time, he truly loved her. But somewhere along the way, that love soured, and she had been too blind to see it.

She turned her gaze to the passing scenery outside the car window, lost in thought.

Noah didn't press the issue, choosing not to poke at her wounds any further. He drove her back to her home at Evergreen Heights without saying much.

"You've got plans with friends. No need to come in with me," Lila mentioned, flexing her wrist slightly, though it still hurt.

Noah glanced toward the house, noticing the lights on inside. Knowing Kieran was there, he decided not to insist.

"Let Kieran take care of the swelling," he said casually.

She nodded, exited the car, and walked toward the house.

The evening air was humid and heavy, the heat clinging to her dress, but it

couldn't thaw the icy resolve in her eyes.

Dorian had said they were bound together for life, but knowing his personality, she figured it was just another one of his empty declarations.

Her hand rested on the doorknob, but she hesitated to turn it.

After a long moment, the knob moved from the other side. Startled, she quickly let go.

The door opened, and the cool air from inside brushed against her face, easing the restlessness in her heart.

Kieran stood in the doorway,

dressed simply in a white T-shirt and black lounge pants. His tall figure

cast a shadow over her, creating a sense of shelter and security.

Lila looked up, meeting his deep, dark eyes. He was taller and broader than

Dorian, and his presence carried none of Dorian's arrogance.

Kieran was poised and refined, the picture of a gentleman from a prominent family. Though reserved and distant, he never came off as condescending. He was like the moon-cold and unattainable, yet quietly captivating.

"Uncle Kieran," she murmured softly.

Kieran's eyes dropped to her injured wrist, his gaze darkening subtly.

Noah had messaged him earlier, mentioning Lila's injury and urging Kieran to help since she might not take care of it herself. Seeing her standing outside, he figured she had been too upset to come in right

away, worried he might see her in that state.

Kieran had come to comfort her, though he knew how stubborn she could be. She

always kept her pain to herself, a habit he didn't approve of.

"It's hot out. Come in, and I'll take care of your wrist," he said gently.

Lila obediently followed him inside, sitting quietly on the couch while he went to

get the medicine.

When he returned, he warmed the ointment in his palms before carefully applying it to her delicate wrist.noveldrama

Even with his gentleness, Lila winced and inhaled sharply at the pain.

"It's a sprain," Kieran said, his voice soft yet steady. "I need to work it out. It'll hurt a little, but bear with it."

His tone was unusually tender, almost as if he were soothing a child.

Though her wrist throbbed, Lila found herself momentarily dazed by the care he showed her.

Barely above a whisper, she murmured, "Uncle Kieran, why are you so nice to me?"