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

Noah winked at Lila, signaling her to share her plans for the future. However, the young woman before him stared at him and stayed silent for a long time.

He grew anxious. "Wait. You and Uncle Kieran... What is going on here? Am I crazy, or are you all crazy?"

He put his hands on his head, almost in disbelief. "I've been gone for six months. What has happened that I don't know about?"

Lila shook her head. "Nothing you don't know. I've just caused trouble for him. You should know about the rumors outside, too. I can't explain those, and to protect me, he had to publicly say I'm his fiancée.

"This is something that was only said today. If we say it's fake now, people will either keep attacking me or drag him into negative publicity."

Noah scratched his head in frustration. "Are those people blind? What about Dorian and Fletcher, those losers? They aren't even worthy of tying your shoes! A bunch of idiots, and they've come up with this nonsense about you using them!

"Everything you said makes sense, but marriage is a big deal for your future. You can't rush into it."

He spoke seriously, as though advising a close friend, warning her not to fall for the wrong guy.

Lila, still carrying some heavy emotions, couldn't help but laugh. Her mood lightened a bit.

He jumped up in surprise. "Lila, how can you laugh at a time like this?"

She stifled her laughter and glanced at Kieran, who was ignoring their conversation.

She lowered her voice. "Don't forget, my marriage partner is Uncle Kieran. Why does it sound like I'm jumping into a fire pit?"

"You might as well be jumping into a fire pit!"

Noah would have exploded if it hadn't been for Kieran, who was still around. "Come on, let's go for a walk."

"Hmm?" She was confused, not sure why he wanted to take her out.

In a calm voice that hid any emotion, Kieran glanced over and said, "She's hurt."

Noah was momentarily stopped in his tracks. He cleared his throat and said, "I just want to take her out to clear her mind."

He turned to Lila. "Let's go."

She had no choice but to follow him, standing up and heading for the door.

She thought he would take her somewhere else, but he stopped under a tree in the yard instead.

"You can't marry Uncle Kieran," he said firmly. "Forget that he's your elder-even without that, I still wouldn't recommend you to be with him."

set

Lila was puzzled. While she didn't really want to marry Kieran, Noah's tone seemed odd, making her feelnoveldrama

So was off. Did he know

something she didn't?

Kieran had been single for years, and the family kept urging him to settle down. Noah even mentioned that he should find someone.

Why was he so adamant today about her not being with him? His tone didn't seem to be about the age difference.

Noticing her confusion, Noah

furrowed his brow and lowered his

voice. "It seems like Uncle Kieran

has someone in his heart. All these

years he's kept himself pure... think it's because he's waiting for a specific woman."

"What?" Lila was shocked and barely able to process it. She even wondered if she had misheard.

Noah stroked his chin, deep in thought. "I once saw him keep a photo. I couldn't determine who it was, but I'm sure it was a woman."

She slowly began to process what he was saying, remembering Kieran's restrained kiss from earlier. She had suspected he was in love but hadn't realized he had anyone in his life. It seemed he had feelings for someone but had never been with her. śwnovel