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

"Do you think you're in any position to talk about my mother? She gave birth to me, so she loves me more than anyone else. No matter what I do, she will

understand.

"And that man from the Locke family... how dare a bastard like him call himself my father?"

Lila scratched at Pierre's hand, leaving bloody marks behind.

She knew she shouldn't provoke him any further, yet she couldn't stop herself from laughing coldly.

"Why do you hate your father so much? Is it because he kept a mistress and ruined your family?

"Your mother didn't actually commit suicide, did she? Was she driven to death by your father, your grandfather, or someone else from the family?"

Her hoarse voice nearly pushed Pierre to the edge of madness. He clenched his fist tighter, and Lila's face turned red from the pressure.

Suddenly, the sharp sound of glass shattering echoed behind them.

The broken glass cut into her face and hands. Pierre instinctively flinched as he absorbed most of the impact, while the driver quickly pulled him away.

Lila stumbled out when the car door opened, doubling over with a violent coughing fit.

Holding a brick in his hand, the driver stood in front of her protectively.

"I've already called the police! Murder is a serious crime, you know. If you behave, maybe we can convince them to spare you!"

He had just witnessed Pierre choking Lila.

Hearing the distant sound of sirens, Pierre calmly wiped the blood from his hand.

He chuckled. "Lila, do you believe me now? You can check it yourself. I'm waiting for you to come find me."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the night.

Lila leaned against a tree, barely avoiding collapsing from exhaustion.

By the time the police arrived, Pierre was long gone. She and the others were briefly questioned before being allowed to leave.

Lila returned to Evergreen Heights, where Kieran was still sitting in the living room, waiting for her to return.

When he saw the dark bruises on her neck, his expression darkened immediately. "What happened?"

His voice was colder than usual, carrying the chill of the winter air that seemed to creep in with the snow.

Lila's voice was hoarse, strained from the ordeal.

"I ran into Pierre."

The simple statement brought a sharper chill to Kieran's eyes.

Was the Locke family backing Pierre, or was he planning something more extreme?

Either way clear-

had to be found

quid thing was . But that rat in the guttel

y too good at hiding.

Kieran

es applied bruise-healing

was

to Lila's neck. The sting her lose her train of thought moment.

"I hope it fades before we get our marriage license."

She froze the moment the words left her mouth.

What was she saying?

"I mean, it'd be strange to take wedding photos like this."

The explanation came out almost automatically, making her feel even more embarrassed.

Clearly, she shouldn't speak when her mind wasn't fully clear.

But Kieran hummed softly, his gaze on her deep and hard to read.

Lila didn't dare to look up, and the silence made her feel oddly unsettled.

Suddenly, she remembered the girl in the white dress from that day.

She recalled seeing a girl in a white dress on Kieran's phone long ago.

It was just a quick glance at his photo album...

There was a knock at the door before she could remember more about the blurry image.

Kieran opened it, and the person

the other side let out a high-pitchednoveldrama

scream, chipmunk.

most like a

He then darted into the room and dropped to his knees in front of Lila.

Lila's eye twitched in surprise.

Before Kieran could say anything, his phone buzzed with a message from Cole.

His eyes instantly darkened.

"Ms. Hart gave her contact to a young man at a bar today."