Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Lila noticed Amelia hesitate for a moment, a flicker of frustration flashing through her eyes before she finally turned to look behind her.

Before they could exchange greetings, Xyla approached from behind. "Vince, have you been to this restaurant before? They have a signature dish that—"

She stopped mid-sentence when she spotted the group, momentarily surprised to see them.

"What a coincidence."

Lila nudged Amelia, and the two of them stood, offering a polite nod. "Ms. Zimmerman, we meet again."

Jamie smoothly picked up the conversation. "Since we've encountered each other, why don't you join us?"

Seeing that everyone had already composed themselves with casual ease, Soren signaled the waiter to arrange a different table.

Vince's gaze flickered toward Amelia, but she kept her eyes forward, never sparing him a glance.

Xyla noticed his reaction, pressing her lips together slightly, though she chose to stay silent.

The two of them walked side by side, yet a noticeable distance remained between them.

Lila glanced back, sensing an odd atmosphere-one that reminded her of Jamie and Soren.

They should have been close. After all, they were engaged. Yet something about them felt distant as if they were still learning how to exist in each other's orbit.

The group was moved to a small round table. Amelia pulled Lila to sit beside her, while the two men sat together, leaving Xyla on Victor's other side-right next to Amelia.

head slightly

gesture, her expression composed

at the table was almost too harmonious, so much so that it

Jamie-usually not much of a talker-took it upon herself to start

Amelia, but they didn't seem to mind. They simply smiled in return, after all, this

as the three of them exchanged glances, then

have always looked out for me, they're

sideways glance at Amelia, giving a small

and Amelia before. On paper, their arranged

a friend to look

had said was, "Maybe they just

had only smiled

about that? As long as the arrangement brought benefits, that was

But Vince

arranged fiancé had captivated her from the very first moment

effortlessly graceful. He wasn't a man of many words,

who had pursued her before, this time, she was the one who took

his interests, and carefully picked

him a present,

it, did that mean he had at least a little interest

he sent her a return gift, one even

of course. But it made her hesitate.