Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Chapter 19

Zara gripped Lila's arm tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Lila, what did I ever do to you? Why are you treating me like this? Why are you targeting me?

"You like Dorian, and I never tried to take him from you. We may have grown up together, but I've always known he cares about you.

"I even kept telling him to explain things to you, that there's nothing between us. Why won't you believe me? What do you gain from coming after me like this? Haven't Dorian and I already tried to keep our distance?

"If you don't like me and you want me gone, just let me know. I'll stay away from him. But why mess with my career over it?"

Zara looked as if she were bearing the weight of countless grievances. Strands of her messy hair clung to her tear-streaked face, making her appear even more delicate and pitiful.

Dorian's heart twisted with her every sob, and he supported her tenderly. Lila jerked her hand away in disgust, rubbing her neck. Her fair skin showed glaring red marks from where he had grabbed her.

Yet Dorian showed no sympathy. He watched as she winced in pain, only thinking she deserved it. After all, compared to the injustice Zara was feeling, Lila's little scratches seemed trivial.

"What exactly do you want, Lila?" Dorian's anger flared, his jaw clenched in frustration.

Zara's eyes were red and swollen, tears flowing freely as she clung to him like he was her lifeline. "Why? Lila, why are you doing this to me?"

The more Dorian ached for Zara, the more his resentment toward Lila grew. He was so furious he nearly wanted to grab her by the neck and force her to apologize.

Lila gave a mocking laugh and slapped him across the face. "I've had it with both of you!"

Dorian was stunned for a moment. Zara let out a shriek, anxiously asking if he was okay as tears continued to fall.

Ignoring them, Lila bent her aching knees and slowly crouched down, carefully picking up the scattered sandalwood beads. Each bead had a different primrose pattern. Some were rough and crooked, while others were smooth, showing the carver's gradual improvement in skill.

A faint scar remained on her left index finger, a mark that hadn't faded even after all these years. Perhaps their fates had been sealed from the beginning-filled with scars and destined for a painful end.

movements, an inexplicable frustration boiling within him. He

worried about these worthless

the nearby wall with a sharp crack before falling back to the ground, bouncing a few times. With each impact, it felt

clenched the three beads in her hand. It was better this way, with nothing left. There was nothing to hold

He reached out to pull her up, but before he could touch her,

actors behave?" The man's

sarcasm.

felt a spark of familiarity in the voice and looked up. Cole was there, extending a hand to

suit. Yet his expression was unusually calm, lacking his

miss?" he asked

anticipated this and arrived just in time. Otherwise, Lila might've

slowly stood up with his help, avoiding the dizziness that often

she said softly, polite

identity in public. When she looked up, Cole noticed the red marks around her neck and frowned sharply.

your public image," Cole said with a light smile, although his tone held an underlying

outside world described Dorian as a cold

Samuel stepped

what happened to

noticing Samuel's respect toward Cole and the number of eyes on

resolving some personal

everyone else should

fell on Cole. Yet Cole just ignored him. He pulled a clean

was somewhat dazed, unsure why he was even here. Had Kieran come as

to Samuel. "Mr. Grant, Mr. Morgan said as long as there are no issues on set, the

Mr. Foster and went

shifted to Zara, who was still weeping softly in Dorian's

didn't have Kieran's looks or status, yet his behavior was questionable. If only Kieran and Lila

Zara's pitiful demeanor. "She is not part of our