too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian)

Kieran's expression remained calm, but in his mind, a voice screamed, "This isn't enough, Lila!" He didn't move as he normally would, didn't take control of the moment-but his hands still instinctively found their way to the small of her back.

Inside the confined space of the car, Lila hesitated, biting her lip as she gazed down at him. His eyes were dark and intense, yet his face remained composed. Too composed.

Something felt off. Did she do something wrong? Noticing the confusion flicker in her expression, Kieran couldn't help but chuckle. He had overestimated her.

Then, the car door opened, and the cool night air rushed in—not to extinguish the heat between them but to fan the flames higher. Before Lila knew it, he had swept her into his arms, carrying her like a child all the way back to their bedroom.

It wasn't until she lay there, completely spent, unable to even lift a finger, that she realized this wasn't exactly how she had planned to make it up to him. She reached out, fingers curling weakly around his shoulder, her eyes still misty. "Kieran." Her voice was hoarse from earlier.

His voice was deep with amusement. "I'll get you some water. Be right back."

Her cheeks burned as she held his hand, tightening her hold. "It won't happen again."

Kieran stilled for a second before realizing she was responding to what he had said earlier. a low chuckle rumbled from his chest as he pinched her cheek. "Mrs. Morgan, who answers a question hours later?"

Especially when the timing was now of all moments. Saying that right after what they had just done could easily be misunderstood. For a split second, he almost thought she meant he hadn't done a good enough job, and she had lost interest in sex altogether.

Lila had no idea what was going through his mind, but she did realize she had been gripping his hand a little too tightly. Quickly, she let go and softened her voice. "I want some water."

His eyes were full of affection as he got up to pour her a glass, and only after she had finished drinking did he scoop her up and carry her to the bathroom. However, he was once again denied the privilege of helping her shower.

Standing outside the door, he listened to the sound of running water for a while before finally turning away to tidy up the bed. By the time Lila stepped out, fresh from her shower, Kieran had already changed the sheets. The faint scent of something sweet still fingered in the air.

Once he finished washing up, he slid into bed beside her. As he reached out to pull her into his arms, he noticed the way she subtly shifted back, as if trying to keep some distance.

Kieran let out a quiet chuckle and leaned in anyway, patting her back. "You've had a long day, Mrs. Morgan. Get some rest."

Lila peeked up at him from his embrace. "Kieran, I'll be joining the film crew in about ten days."

"I know. I'll visit when I have time."

"That's not what I wanted to talknoveldrama

about. After everything that happened with Morgan Group, I realized something-I used to say that I wanted to stand by your Side and that we would face everything together. But those words... they were too shallow. When you were struggling, I did nothing but stand there and watch you handle everything alone. I wasn't able to help you at all.

"I know what you're thinking," she continued. "That you can solve any problem yourself. That I don't need to do anything. But Kieran... I don't want that." Her eyes shone like stars in the night sky-bright, unwavering, full of hope.

He looked down at her, noticing how determined she was. "If there's something you want to do, just do it. Having ambition is never a bad thing. And no matter what, I'll always be standing right behind you."

Lila rested her forehead against his chest and said nothing else, but Kieran already understood what she wanted to say.