Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Lila could see the exhaustion written all over Kieran. He had always been polished and put-together, but now his usually neat hair was a mess.

His clothes, typically dry-cleaned and impeccable, were wrinkled and misshapen -probably hand-washed due to a lack of proper facilities. A few stains even lingered here and there.

But none of that mattered. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him.

"Kieran, next time, don't keep things from me. I was really worried."

Kieran pulled her in tightly with his arm. No one had expected that what was meant to be a short separation had nearly turned into a final goodbye.

The fear and anxiety that had weighed on Lila for days only began to fade when she breathed in his familiar scent, grounding her in the reality that he was here, safe.

Watching them, Alfredo couldn't help but smile, a rare sight after everything that had happened.

After a moment, Lila finally pulled away, only to catch Alfredo grinning at them. Her ears flushed slightly.

She quickly changed the subject. "Let's go to the hospital first and get you both checked out. Then we'll head home. Grandpa's been in good spirits today. He even called Aunt Jasmine and Bryce over for dinner."

Neither Kieran nor Alfredo had heard about Frances gathering the family.

Given Frances's declining health, they had been especially worried that news of the company's troubles might push him too far.

Hearing that he was feeling well enough to host a family dinner was a small relief. After their checkups at the hospital, they wasted no time heading home.

Only after showering and changing into fresh clothes did Kieran and Alfredo finally start looking a little more like themselves.

By six in the evening, Jasmine and Bryce arrived, only to be stunned by everything that had happened.

Both looked visibly shaken.

is it at Morgan Group right now?"

sighed. "The financial deficit is significant. A lot of our assets are still stuck overseas. We need

silence settled over

all, Morgan Group employed over a hundred thousand people.

was the first to speak. "Alfredo, focus on your

together. Three different countries were involved in this crisis —it was

wasn't something that could be

than anything, she

weight of this crisis was pressing down on him alone, and it was far

We're family, whatever happens, we'll face it

a heavy silence as

until Frances came downstairs that they forced themselves

looked at his two sons, weary and battered, and after a

his words. Then he let out a

was too old, too blind, and too

If only Amelie

later, he gave a resigned

matter. He'd be seeing

didn't say any of that aloud.

for dinner.

old now,

But you've

things