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

Lila felt her mood ease after feeling the warmth of Kieran's hand, allowing him to guide her forward gently.

They climbed the stone steps one by one, slowly going up the gentle hill.

Eventually, they stopped in front of the row of the Hart family tombstones and then continued walking forward.

Lila counted silently to herself. They had arrived.

She paused, gazing at the two stone tablets side by side. The black-and-white photos still depicted her parents in their younger years.

In a few more years, she would be older than her parents when these photos were taken.

Kieran placed the flowers in front of the gravestones.

Lila spoke softly. "Mom, Dad, it's been a long time since I've visited you."

She hadn't told them about her situation recently.

She stretched out her left hand, thinking, "Can you see this ring? I'm married. But things are a bit complicated, and explaining would take too long. Just know I'm doing well. The Morgan family has been good to me. I married the highly regarded Uncle Kieran. He's a good man."

Lila's expression was gentle, but there was an undeniable heaviness in her eyes, a reflection of the sorrow weighing on her heart at that moment.

Suddenly, her fingertips were enveloped by warmth. She looked up at Kieran, who wore a faint smile.

"I should say something too and greet them with you."

Lila's heart trembled slightly. She heard him say, "Please rest assured, Mom and Dad. I'll take good care of Lila. I'll always be by her side."

"Always."

Lila's eyes flickered, but she quickly masked her emotions, plucking a single flower from the bouquet and holding it in her hand.

Sensing Kieran's confusion, she gently explained, "I'll keep one for myself to preserve your thoughtfulness."

A smile lit up his eyes.

Kieran held her hand on the way back, slowly guiding her down the stairs.

Lila glanced back at her parents' tombstones, whispering, "I miss you both."

The wind blew toward her, carrying her longing into the distance.

Kieran asked, "Shall we head straight to the Morgan residence?"

"Yes." Her voice was soft with a light sweetness.

This was the first time Lila didn't feel the heavy weight of grief after visiting her parents' graves.

She glanced sideways at him driving feeling a bit curious. Could it really be that Kieran's company has made such a difference?

She hadn't figured it out yet when the phone in her pocket suddenly rang.noveldrama

It was a message from Amelia.

"Is Uncle Kieran a romantic fool?"

Before Lila could respond, another screenshot followed.

It was from Kieran's post. It showed a picture of their marriage licenses with the

simple caption, "Embracing a new identity."

Amelia quickly sent two more messages.

"I seriously suspect that Uncle Kieran has been scheming for you all along You've fixed together fort years, and he must have had some feelings for you at some point."

Lila's face contorted in helplessness as she answered, "Uncle Kieran treats me the same way he treats Noah like a junior. Our marriage has treasons

She had never explicitly explained the reason behind her marriage to Kieran.

Amelia was a bit confused by Lila's reply.

"You two aren't getting married because of a baby, right?"

Lila's thoughts drifted back to the faint, sweet scent she had caught on Kieran earlier that morning.

She asked, "Uncle Kieran, can I ask you a question?"