Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Lila returned to Vermilion Estate and informed Kieran that she'd be heading back to Mapleford tomorrow.

Their relationship had only just begun to deepen, and though Kieran was reluctant to see her leave, he understood he couldn't stand in the way of what she loved.

As for Lila, while she wanted to spend a few more days with him, her eagerness to check on the progress of the elementary school project far outweighed seeing Kieran.

She hadn't even booked her plane tickets yet when Amelia's video call popped up on her screen.

"Wanna hang out tomorrow?" Amelia asked casually.

Lila hesitated for a moment.

"Are you busy? I was thinking of calling Noah and Ruby to join too," Amelia added.

Though Amelie hadn't been gone for long, the family couldn't stay gloomy forever.

She had practically assigned herself the role of the Morgans' mood manager, determined to lift their collective spirits.

"I was planning to head back to the show tomorrow," Lila said carefully.

"To see that celebrity of yours? I saw the teaser for the show. Doesn't seem like you need to stick with them as a manager, right?"

Amelia sounded puzzled. The show revolved around growing vegetables, fruits, and crops a process as slow and patient as the plants themselves.

The crew just filmed the participants working and the gradual progress of the greenery.

It was interesting in its own way-calm and soothing, like a slow-burn reality show.

"It's not about the show. I need to check on the elementary project, see if they've made progress," Lila explained.

nodded in understanding but then rubbed her chin, her face lighting up

worried about funding, why not stay tomorrow

on the water

didn't even know I was worth that much!" she

brag about raking

and Kieran stepped in, catching her last two sentences. He raised an eyebrow, his expression

Joking like this with Amelia was one thing, but

the phone, "Alright, I'll stay with you tomorrow. Everything

call in a flash. Amelia stared at the blank screen for a moment, touching her

What was the rush?

what

she turned to the window, where the night sky glittered

heard the sound of Kieran coming

Hmm, things seemed to be moving along pretty

thoughts had already spiraled

to take a shower," Lila said, standing

help,

eyes went wide. "Absolutely not,

at Kieran, only to catch the playful smirk tugging

her heel and hurried into

he

the time she stepped out of the shower, her emotions

the edge of the bed, his head bowed as he typed out a reply

to him, but because her feet were still damp, her slippers slipped suddenly on the

reached out to steady herself,

novel

onto the bed, with her on top of