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

"Kieran," she said suddenly.

He stopped mid-step and turned to look at her.

The sparkling crystal chandelier above them couldn't hold a candle to the

brilliance of his eyes.

"Thank you for helping with the school in Mapleford," Lily said softly.

Kieran smiled faintly, the kind of smile that held neither arrogance nor any need for recognition.

"Charity is always a win-win," he replied simply, before continuing to the bathroom.

Lila's gaze lingered on the frosted glass door as it closed behind him. Soon,

steam began to rise, clouding the already blurred view inside and giving it an even more dreamlike quality.

She lowered her eyes and chuckled softly to herself.

Win-win, huh?

By the time Kieran came out of the bathroom, Lila was leaning against the headboard, fully immersed in a mobile game.

It had been so long since she'd last played it that she'd completely forgotten how to build her team for the best damage output.

She was stuck on a particularly challenging level and kept retrying, experimenting with different strategies to no avail.

Kieran, now toweling his damp hair dry, sat down beside her on the bed and, without hesitation, slid his arm around her wrist.

"Use his skill first," he murmured, his deep voice brushing softly against her ear as he rested his chin comfortably on her shoulder.

Lila followed his advice, switching characters to attack first, but the results weren't great.

The defeat screen flashed across her phone, and she let out a small sigh.

"Let me look up a guide," she muttered. Her determination to figure out the solution was unwavering.

Before she could scroll any further, Kieran gently plucked the phone from her hands.

"Mrs. Morgan, it's time to sleep," he said firmly.

"Just one more try!" Lila protested.

She hadn't beaten the level yet, and the thought of being stuck overnight was unbearable.

Kieran opened his mouth to insist, but when she turned to look at him, her gaze soft and brimming with anticipation, he hesitated.

They say even the greatest heroes can't resist a beautiful woman—and with her sitting right there, looking at him like that, he realized he was no exception.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, sighing in mock defeat.

"Last try," he said, handing her phone back.

Lila's face it up instantly, her eyes curving with delight as she smiled brightly. Without missing a beat, she quickly looked up a gu

and gave

the level one final shot

It was probably because her character stats were still a bit under-leveled that she

failed to clear the level in the end.

But she didn't try again. After all, she had plans to spend the day with Amelia tomorrow, and Amelia was always brimming with energy.

Lila lay back for a moment, poking Kieran, who was comfortably holding her.

"Kieran."

"I'm here," he responded softly.

"When I'm done with this show, let's go stargazing, okay?"

...

Originally, Lila thought Amelia wouldn't show up until the afternoon.

But, to her surprise, Amelia arrived at Vermilion Estate at ten in the morning.

Kieran had already left for the office by then, and Lila, who had woken up late, was just starting her breakfast.

"Why are you here so early? Want something to eat?" Lila asked.

Amelia casually slid into the seat across from her, holding Nova in her arms.

"I've got to make every second of my two million count. Time is money, you know," Amelia said with a cheeky grin.

Lila paused mid-bite.

She wasn't wrong.

"Eat up. We'll hit the shops first, and tonight Jamie and Teddy are free too. I also invited a few more people from the industry, we're gonna have some fun with Noah today Amelia sard.

Lila raised an eyebrow. "What if he doesn't show up? I think he has a tournament coming up."

"Don't worry. He was the first person I invited, and as soon as Ruby heard Noah was coming, she didn't even hesitate to agree."

Amelia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "But just in case, send Noah another message and make sure he comes."

Lila knew Amelia wasn't one to overstep, so she didn't argue. Taking out her

phone, she sent Noah a quick message as instructed.

By the evening, Amelia was driving Lila to Azure Bar.

When they arrived, the private room was already buzzing with chatter, five or six people were gathered inside.

Ruby and Jamie were chatting when they spotted Lila and Amelia, they immediately got up to greet them.

Ruby glanced around. "Noah didn't come with you guys?"noveldrama

Amelia checked the time on her phone. She had deliberately told

Noah to arrive half an hour earl net

than everyone else, so by now he should've been there.