Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Chapter 1

At the Spectra Awards ceremony, rising star Zara Hayes received her first Best Actress award. When the host asked how she felt and planned to reward herself, she turned to the award presenter beside her, Dorian Blake-the screen legend.

"Can I have your sandalwood bracelet, Mr. Blake?"

Her words stunned the audience. Everyone in the entertainment industry knew that the sandalwood bracelet was Dorian's most treasured possession and never left his side since his debut.

There had long been rumors in the industry that Dorian was offered a luxury watch endorsement. At that time, the brand wanted him to wear their watch exclusively, without his sandalwood bracelet. However, Dorian flatly refused, stating he would rather forgo the endorsement than take off his beloved bracelet.

To salvage the situation, the brand specifically designed a Zen-inspired watch to go with his sandalwood bracelet. So, had Zara gone nuts? Why would she ask for Dorian's bracelet?

The host froze on stage and found himself in a quandary. Just as everyone awaited a rejection from Dorian, he surprisingly let out a chuckle and slowly removed his bracelet from his wrist to put it onto Zara's.

In the audience, Lila Hart witnessed the scene in silence. Unbeknownst to the world, the well-respected screen legend on stage was her boyfriend of five years. Similarly, rarely anyone knew that she acquired the sandalwood bracelet after painstakingly climbing a thousand stairs up to Mount Shasta.

Of course, nobody knew she carved the primrose patterns on the sandalwood beads themselves.

Onstage, Zara excitedly showed off the bracelet. "Thank you, Mr. Blake, for all the encouragement and knowledge you've generously shared with me. I'll continue to work hard and look forward to seeing you all in the next project."

Her voice was as sweet as her appearance. A faint smile lit up Dorian's face, but it quickly vanished when he turned toward Lila and noticed her empty seat.

On her way back to the company, Lila could hear discussions about Dorian and Zara's interaction at the awards ceremony. Sourness formed tears that welled up in her eyes, and she hurried into the washroom.

After the cold water hit her face, she lifted her head to look at herself in the mirror. Her eyes reddened at the sight of her pathetic state after a frantic escape.

She and Dorian had known each other for seven years and dated for five. She had stood by him as he transformed from a nobody into a screen legend. Despite all the blood, sweat, and tears, she enjoyed the whole journey because she wholeheartedly did it for him.

Zara's picture on Dorian's phone once. He earnestly explained that she was the girl next door whom he saw as a sister. Lila

she willingly sacrificed her passion for directing and put all her effort into building Dorian. He wasn't well-known then and couldn't land good roles, so she scampered around, begging for opportunities. That was on top

on many jobs at once. She became Dorian's manager, assistant, photographer... anything but her best

couch and yearn for the future together. "Lila, once I win Best Actor, I'll propose and give

To realize

could receive his proposal, the girl he grew up with returned to the country. Time

of Zara and honor their

cry. To honor their years of friendship,

at every step of the

in return was for him to give away that sandalwood bracelet. What made her fall for Dorian in the first place,

for each other? Or was it because he jumped into the water to

indebted? After everything I've done for him-sacrificing my career, giving my everything so he

again. The last two years had worn out all the love she had for him.

Enduring Gift: The Sandalwood Bracelet He Gave Zara Hayes" was the trending news article,

posts, the first one that came up

Lila. It wasn't until then that she saw the look on his face. The man,

Within

casually removing the bracelet flashed across Lila's eyes, she suddenly recalled the endearing and surprised look he

painful realization. She tossed her phone

entire room. At that moment, someone opened the

state. "Why did

and tried to touch her face. Lila dodged his touch and propped herself