Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Chapter 67

Lila later thought that if Kieran hadn't been there during that time, she might not have survived.

The flu hit her hard. The day she fell ill, her fever spiked and wouldn't come down. She lay weak in bed, unable to lift a finger.

She called Dorian, but Zara answered the phone instead. Lila couldn't remember much of what she had said in her dazed state. She sent another message later, but there was no reply.

She hadn't reached out because she wanted him to come. She wouldn't want him to risk catching the illness.

But being sick and possibly facing death in a foreign country, filled her with an overwhelmed loneliness. She just wanted to hear his voice, to feel some comfort.

But there was nothing.

Kieran found out the next day and rushed over.

By then, she hadn't had water all day.

She couldn't eat either, not because she didn't want to, but because she was too weak to move.

She was so sick that she could barely recognize anyone, yet she saw Zara's post on SoulLink.

a photo of a man

hands were visible, but Lila instantly recognized

just above the webbing between his thumb and index finger on his left hand, clearly visible in

on SoulLink had been meant for

trying not to dwell on it. She was afraid that touching her old wounds

heard her say "Who wouldn't feel bad when they're sick?"

I didn't know.

like this would have made Lila forgive

The cicadas in the Magnolia tree outside were buzzing incessantly. Their wings fluttered as they flew to a nearby,

not telling you this to make you pity me. I just want you to know that a long time ago, I had already begun building up disappointment in

and took out the three beads she had picked up earlier. "The bracelet, it was just the last straw that broke

her palm, her fair skin as smooth as polished ivory, and the three sandalwood beads lay

grasped her hand tightly, enclosing the beads within her palm, as if any

love you," he said, his voice shaking. His eyes were filled with

only ever loved you, from the beginning to end. Zara and I,

Zara, but he

kissed or slept

funny when Dorian said he and Zara never