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

The young man hesitated for a moment before getting up to leave. Before walking

out, he said, "Get some rest then. I'll see you around."

Amelia barely acknowledged him with a nod. As soon as the door closed, she

picked up her phone and messaged hotel housekeeping to change the bed linens

immediately.

Lila lingered outside their door for a moment, and as soon as she looked up, she

spotted Vince at the end of the hallway. Her gaze flicked between him and

Amelia's closed door. Before she could decide whether to approach him, he

turned and walked away.

Acting on impulse, Lila hurried after him, catching up just in time to stop the

elevator doors from closing. "Can we talk?"

Vince hesitated for a moment before stepping out of the elevator. Lila got straight

to the point. "Have you fallen for Amelia?"

"I'm not sure," he answered bluntly. The dim hallway lighting cast a shadow over

his eyes, making his emotions difficult to read.

Lila studied him before asking, "Then, why did you come here tonight?"

Vince gave a small, mirthless smile. "I wanted to talk to her, but it looks like there's

no need for that anymore."

Looking at his indifferent expression, Lila was reminded of how conflicted Jamie

had been a few days ago. What were the odds that the siblings were both having

relationship problems?

"It's not too late to talk to her," she suggested.

Vince shook his head. "It's fine, as long as she's happy."

After a brief pause, he added, "We're all adults here. We know how to make our

own choices. I have other things to do-I should go."

Lila watched as the elevator doors closed, at a loss for words. As soon as she

turned around, she ran into the young man from Amelia's room. "What are you

doing here..." she asked.

His clothes were slightly rumpled, but his tone was still polite. "Amelia said she

wasn't in the best mood tonight. Please look after her in my stead."

"Oh, uh, okay. Take care on your way

back." Lila stood in the hallway for a

while, smacking her forehead. No

matter how much she tried to make

sense of it all, she realized-whether

it was Amelia or Vince-she couldn't

change either of their minds.

...

Like sand through an hourglass, the days of filming trickled away, bringing them to

the final stretch. It had been a while since Lila had seen Amelia, and they hadn't

been in contact much.

On the day of the final shoot, Kieran

had flowers delivered early in the

morning. By the evening, a massive

cake arrived from a famous bakery.

Michael's eyes widened as he stared

at it, practically drooling. "Can I havenoveldrama

a slice?"

Even the usually reserved Matthew couldn't help but comment, "This bakery

usually has lines out the door. I can't believe Mr. Morgan actually managed to get

them to make an eight-tier cake."

Lila smiled as she took a picture and sent it to Kieran. "On behalf of the entire

crew, thank you, Mr. Morgan."

His reply came almost instantly. "What about a personal thank-you, Mrs.

Morgan?"

Lila didn't respond. Instead, she planned to head back that night to surprise him in

person.

At the wrap party, Michael got a little drunk and clung to Matthew, wailing. "You

clearly liked the gifts I gave you-so why did you break up with me?"

"Because I wasn't the one who received them." Matthew deadpanned.

Lila burst out laughing and let them be. She hadn't had a single drink that night.

Once the party wrapped up, she drove straight back to Hilltop Heights.

By the time she arrived, it was almost 10:00 pm. She spotted a few cars in the

driveway and immediately recognized Stefan's.

Getting out of the car, she made her

way inside. The moment she pushed

open the door, she was met with a

full living room. The Morgans,

Stefan, and a few members of the

Moore family had gathered.

The chatter stopped as soon as she walked in. Nicole stood up and waved her

over. "Lila, come here."