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

Teddy pressed his lips together and looked at Jamie. She opened her mouth slightly as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent. Soren's jacket was already draped over her shoulders, and she hadn't taken it off.

Teddy stood rooted to the spot for a moment, his grip tightening around his own jacket. Just then, Amelia came up behind him, patting him on the shoulder. "Come on, let's go. It'll be dark soon, and the mountain paths aren't safe at night."

Without waiting for his response, she pulled him away, leaving Jamie and Soren behind.

Jamie pursed her lips before looking at Soren. "Let's get going too." She kept his jacket on. Meanwhile, Teddy didn't put his back on.

Lila could feel the tension in the air, and she wanted to ease it, but she had no idea what to say. Michael and Matthew caught up to them, completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere.

"We just bought some water," Matthew said, handing Lila two bottles. "The warm one's for you, and the other is for Mr. Morgan."

Lila raised her brow, her expression brightening. This kid was so thoughtful. "Thanks. Don't walk too fast and watch your step!"

Matthew nodded. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Michael."

Kieran glanced at Lila's smiling face and casually wrapped an arm around her waist, as if quietly staking his claim. "You're the one who needs to be careful," he said, his deep voice calm but laced with quiet concern.

Matthew looked at him and couldn't shake the feeling that something about Kieran's tone and gesture felt a little off. But since the two were always affectionate, he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he simply nodded and continued down the trail with Michael.

Lila watched them go, then tightened her fingers around Kieran's warm hand and continued down the mountain with him.

The couple strolled slowly, taking their time as they descended. Lila chatted with him idly, but after a few minutes, she noticed he was quieter than usual. "Are you tired?" As soon as her words fell, a thought clicked into place.noveldrama

"Was he upset because our conversation about the wedding got interrupted earlier?" she wondered.

She felt a little slow for not realizing it sooner. smiling, she playfully scratched the center of his palm. "About the wedding... Did you have something in mind?"

Kieran turned to her, his gaze dark-darker than the evening sky-but his lips curled into a faint smile. Holding her hand, he continued walking. "When do you think would be best?"

His tone was as casual as ever, but his emotions were a mess. Would this wedding even happen?

Lila fell into deep thought. She had originally promised Amelia that she and Kieran would get married this spring. But then, with their sudden passing, she thought it wouldn't be appropriate for them to hold a wedding this year.

Besides, that wasn't the only reason she wanted to delay it. Kieran had grown into the man he was today-steady, capable, and admired by all. His achievements spoke for themselves.

She, on the other hand... had wasted years in stagnation. Now, standing beside him, she sometimes felt like a greenhouse flower in need of his protection. Beautiful, perhaps, But too weak to stand on her own. Lila wanted to wait a little longer-not because she hoped to become his equal, but because she refused to be a burden.

By the end of this year, the projects she had worked on would finally start airing Jamie and Teddy were also gaining traction in their careers, and the films would be eligible for major awards. She wanted to rise to the next level, so when she stood beside Kieran, no one would look at her and wonder, "Why would the president of Morgan Group marry someone so insignificant?"

After a long pause, she finally asked in a quiet voice, "Can we wait a little longer?"

Kieran had already expected her to say that. But hearing it out loud still made his chest tighten. "What are you waiting for, Lila?" he wondered.

His gaze shifted to the mountains in the distance, slowly being swallowed by the night. The view was like a painting. Yet, he wasn't in the mood to admire it. After a long while, he asked, "Lila, are you happy with me?"

She had been the one to suggest taking things slow. But he had seen her when she was in love before. He had seen the way she once gave her whole heart to someone-how she had been so full of joy when talking about the future, about marriage, about having a family.

He had seen what she was like when she truly loved someone. But since they had been together, she hadè never once mentioned those things. Why? Was it because she didn't love him enough? Or was it because she wasn't part of her future? Or... was it because now that she had a fresh start, she wanted the freedom to choose someone else-someone she really wanted to be with?