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

For once, Amelia didn't let her usual preference for appearances lead her astray.

"What are you talking about? Isn't Uncle Kieran your guy? He seems like a proper gentleman who follows all the rules. Stop putting yourself down and praising others."

She paused as if thinking it over seriously. "Honestly, I think you and Uncle Kieran make a better match."

Lila was taken aback. "Amelia, why do I feel like one moment you're close to Ms. Clemence, and the next, you behave like you don't know her?"noveldrama

Amelia sipped her drink, resting her head on her hand. "In families like ours, genuine feelings are rare. After being hurt by that scoundrel Vivian, I've lost interest in befriending people from these circles."

Lila was a bit surprised at the mention of Vivian.

"I've been meaning to ask-what happened between you two?"

Amelia's tone was flat. "What could've happened? I treated her like a friend, but she used me as a stepping stone.

"On top of that, she stole our mutual friend's boyfriend. Not that any of them are decent, but still, that whole situation..."

Seeing Amelia's complicated expression, Lila gave a knowing smile.

The two continued chatting until someone suddenly patted their shoulders, startling them both.

Turning around, they saw it was Terry.

His face looked grim as he pulled up a chair and sat beside Lila.

"You seem pretty relaxed," he said.

Still recovering from the surprise, Amelia teased, "What happened to you? Did some demon drain your energy? I thought you just started dating. Shouldn't you be glowing with happiness, all lovey-dovey?"

She knew how to hit where it hurt.

Terry hesitated before replying, "We broke up."

Just as Amelia was about to ask why, he cut her off. "Don't ask why."

"Let's talk about Lila instead." Terry turned his gaze to her. "You're sitting here, yet you're letting Mr. Morgan chat away with another woman?"

"They're talking about work. We wouldn't understand," Amelia replied, clearly uninterested.

"Does Ruby's smiling face look like a work discussion? Do you really not know, or are you pretending not to know what happened between them?"

"What?" Amelia was visibly shocked.

Although Lila had already suspected Kieran's feelings, she was still surprised by Terry's words.

"What happened?"

Terry looked at her, exasperated. "Ruby didn't go abroad just to study. Rumor has it, she left because she was heartbroken over Mr. Morgan."

Amelia asked, "Really? And then?"

"Ruby confessed her feelings and was rejected. She left in a huff, but within two months, Mr. Morgan followed her abroad and stayed there for six months."

Lila paused. She did recall Kieran going abroad for six months.

"Take a look at this." Terry pulled up Ruby's social media account.

It was a post from seven years ago. In the photo, the girl looked youthful and innocent, while the man beside her hadn't yet developed his current aloof demeanor.

The caption was simple. "Met the family."

Met the family?

"But didn't Uncle Kieran reject her?" Amelia frowned.

"People can be clueless," Terry commented. "They don't cherish what's right in front of them and only realize its value after losing it. Mr. Morgan went abroad for her wasn't that him trying to reconcile?"

What he said seemed entirely reasonable.

Lila's long lashes fluttered. So that was why Kieran knew so much about Ruby's departure.

His sudden decision to go abroad back then was all to win back the person he cared about.

Amelia glanced at the quiet Lila, comforting her. "Don't worry. That

was years ago. Any feelings tha??

had are long gone. It's obvious Uncle Kieran treats you differently."

But Terry disagreed. "Do you have any idea how powerful a 'first love' can be?"

"Would you just shut up already?"

Amelia shot him a glare before

standing op: "I'm going to bring him

back here. We're clearing this up now. Uncle Kieran's playing this two-timing game, we'll kick that shameless man to the curb!"