Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Lila had barely taken a couple of steps when she heard knocking behind her.

Peeking through the peephole, she saw Teddy's face pressed against the door, grinning mischievously.

Lila chuckled and opened the door. Jamie's head was the first to pop up. "Ms. Hart, we're here to celebrate your new place!"

Behind her, Amelia peeked in as well, signaling with her eyes that she hadn't told them about Lila's situation. She then exclaimed, "We're here to see Nova too!"

Teddy stacked his head on top of theirs and said, "Quick, let me cuddle the cat." Lila couldn't help but laugh and opened the door wider.

Seeing her relatively relaxed expression, Amelia breathed a silent sigh of relief. A lively atmosphere would keep Lila from overthinking things.

The three walked in, each carrying two bags of goodies.

"What did you all bring?" Lila asked curiously.

"It's all stuff for Nova. Only one of Teddy's bags is groceries," Amelia replied.

Lila asked, "Groceries? Who amongst us knows how to cook?"

"Dang it! I forgot about that."

Teddy chimed in, "Haven't I mentioned that I do? Jamie knows I can."

Lila and Amelia shifted their surprised gazes from Teddy to Jamie.

Jamie hesitated. "He cooked a few times

her arms, looking like a strict parent ready to punish her if she didn't tell the

times! Let's not talk about

soft "tsk" but dropped the

kitten, was overwhelmed by the sudden influx of people and

wandered around the apartment, asking, "Ms. Hart, did you

you wanted a cat, but Uncle Kieran was

a slight smile. "Yeah, and the environment here is

rich people are

place," Amelia said while crunching on an apple. "She loves her

raised her eyebrows in surprise. She hadn't expected Amelia's mom to

bantered for a while before Teddy headed to the kitchen

grabbed Lila, who was about to help. "Give the young ones some space. You need to learn to read

were out of

her

What

plan for

Should I

with my family?"

fell silent. She had

family protecting James, she lacked sufficient