Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Lila didn't respond right away. Amelia wasn't wrong.

No one wanted to compromise when it came to marriage.

Back when she married Kieran, she had told herself they would divorce once things settled down because she didn't want to drag him into trouble.

More importantly, she didn't want to be the reason he couldn't be with the person he truly loved.

Lila nodded. "I understand what you mean."

"Lila, Vince doesn't love me. To him, marriage is just a goal. But for me, it's not something I have to do. I won't lie, I did feel something for him. But I'm not going to marry him because of that.

"I can't trap myself in a marriage with someone who doesn't love me. Because one day, no matter how much I pretend it doesn't matter, I will resent it."

Silence settled between them. It was the first time they had ever sat through a meal together without chatting.

When lunch was over, Amelia didn't leave. Instead, she followed Lila back to her office.

After a moment, she casually swung her leg over Lila's. "Why do you look even more worried than I am? Don't overthink it. You know me, I never stay hung up on something for long.

"Give it a few days, and whatever feelings I had for Vince will be gone. I promise I won't be one of those women still pining after him when his wife is already showing."

Lila couldn't help but laugh. "You and that sharp tongue of yours."

tension in the

in advance that I'll

raised a brow. "Have you ever talked to them about not wanting to

"Please. The Joyce family is practically running out of people. If I don't get married, our family line

is, they think that once they're gone, I'll be completely alone. What they don't realize is I have money. Do you think I'd ever have

Amelia liked to talk big, so she

are two ways to get over an old flame-by letting time pass or by getting a new flame. I heard from Aunt Jasmine the other day that my brother

"Bryce?"

Aunt Jasmine wants him to to start dating, too. No pressure about marriage—just talk, and see if you get

except for Noah, who doesn't

to see if there's a spark. You didn't think Vince was right for you at first either, did you? Love is

effort into matchmaking, Amelia couldn't

won't be back for a little while anyway. Just take a

do need a breather,

Amelia trailed off.

she wasn't with Vince was because his heart still belonged to someone

couldn't let herself

person while pretending

with another.

came

be unfair to