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.

it at Morgan Group right now?" Jasmine asked, her

of our assets are still stuck overseas. We need to

settled over

Group employed over a hundred thousand people.

first to speak. "Alfredo, focus on your recovery. I'll figure out a

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

that could be

more than anything, she felt a deep ache in her

pressing down on him alone, and it

well. "Nobody panic. We're family, whatever happens, we'll

heavy silence as if

until Frances came downstairs that they forced themselves

after a brief pause, simply said,

younger generation stilled at his words. Then he let

was too old, too blind, and

only

moment later, he gave a

matter. He'd be seeing her again soon

aloud.

for dinner.

now,

you've

things out, and