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.

but then rubbed her chin, her face lighting up with

worried about funding, why not stay

choked on the water she'd been

I was worth

she added, "Does this mean I can brag about

the door creaked open, and Kieran stepped in, catching her last two sentences. He raised

with embarrassment. Joking like this with Amelia was

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

a flash. Amelia stared at the blank screen for

What was the rush?

hadn't even finished what

the night sky glittered over

had heard the sound

two... were they about to...? Hmm, things seemed to be

Lila had no idea that Amelia's thoughts had already spiraled off

a shower," Lila said,

any help,

eyes went wide. "Absolutely

to catch the playful smirk tugging at his lips. He was teasing her on

turned on her heel and hurried into

he gotten so

shower, her emotions had calmed, and

the bed, his head bowed as he typed out a

damp, her slippers

reached out to steady herself, but her hand

novel

the bed, with her on top