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.

Group right now?"

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

silence settled over the

over a hundred thousand people.

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

Three different countries were involved in this

could

than anything, she felt

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

We're family, whatever happens,

as if a

came downstairs that they forced

sons, weary and battered, and after a brief pause, simply said, "It's good

younger generation stilled at his words. Then he let out a

too old, too blind, and too out of touch

only Amelie were

later, he gave

matter. He'd be seeing her

he didn't say any of that aloud. Instead, he simply told everyone to

for dinner.

now,

you've all

figure things