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.

her head slightly and

the gesture, her expression composed and

harmonious, so much so that it felt strangely

the tension, Jamie-usually not much of a talker-took it

glance at Lila and Amelia, but they didn't seem

as the three of them exchanged glances, then shared

always looked out for me, they're really great. Once

glance at Amelia, giving a small nod

paper, their arranged marriage made perfect sense-their families were

even asked a friend to look into

"Maybe they just don't like

had only smiled at that

about that? As long as the

But Vince

so-called arranged fiancé had captivated her from the very first

graceful. He wasn't a man of many words, but in the few he spoke, his intelligence

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

his interests, and carefully picked out gifts that matched

time she gave him a present, he accepted

that mean he had

just two days later, he sent her a return gift, one

it made her hesitate. Maybe she was