The Wife He Never Meant to Love (Lila and Damon) novel Chapter 150

Chapter 150

Chapter 150

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Lila dropped Damian off at the local kindergarten, watching him disappear through the gates before turning

away.

As usual, she headed straight to the coffee shop.

But the moment she stepped inside, she paused.

Marlou was behind the counter.

Not Jenny.

“What are you doing here? Where’s Jenny?” Lila asked, setting her bag down slowly.

Marlou froze for a second. “She-uh… she’s not feeling well. I’m covering for her today,” he said, avoiding her

eyes.

Lila didn’t respond right away.

She simply stared at him.

And that’s when she noticed it-

A faint red mark just below his Adam’s apple.

Lila chuckled softly.

Without a word, she reached into her bag and pulled out a small bandage.

“Come here,” she said.

Marlou blinked. “Uh… what?”

“Come here,” Lila repeated, more firmly this time.

Hesitating, Marlou stepped closer.

“Can you bend down a little?” she asked.

He looked at her, confused. “What are you trying to do?”

“Relax,” Lila said calmly.

Still unsure, Marlou lowered his head slightly.

Lila leaned in and gently placed the bandage just below his Adam’s apple, covering the mark.

“There,” she said, pulling back. “Girls around here can be quite… observant. They might start asking questions.”

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Chapter 150

Her tone carried a teasing edge.

Marlou’s face flushed immediately.

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“O-Oh…” he mumbled, touching the bandage lightly before quickly returning behind the counter.

A small, embarrassed smile crept onto his face.

Lila watched him for a moment, amused.

But behind that amusement—

Her eyes lingered.

Observing.

Not missing a thing.

Because even in moments like this-

Lila never truly let her guard down.

The group of girls huddled in the corner of the coffee shop, their voices low but animated as they exchanged bits of gossip. They were young-fresh from the city, still carrying its energy with them as they returned to their quiet hometown for a brief escape.

“I can’t believe this town has a cozy coffee shop now,” one of them said, glancing around in admiration.

“I know, right?” another chimed in. “Last time I came here, there was nothing attractive to see.”

Their laughter blended softly with the hum of the espresso machine. Then, almost in unison, their attention shifted.

Across the room, Marlou was busy unloading sacks of coffee beans, carrying them one by one into the stockroom. There was nothing particularly extraordinary about the task, yet the way he moved-steady, composed-made it hard to look away.

As if sensing their gaze, Marlou paused and glanced in their direction. When their eyes met, he offered a small, polite smile and a nod.

That was enough.

The girls blushed and quickly looked at one another, suppressing giggles.

Behind the counter, Lila watched the scene unfold with a quiet smile. Ever since the coffee shop opened, more and more young people who worked in the city had started coming back-not just to visit their families, but to unwind. And increasingly, to visit this place.

Not just for the coffee.

But also for Marlou.

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Chapter 150

“Mr. Blackthorne is really good-looking.”

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“Oh, right!” another added. “I saw him once at a convention. If I worked with him, I’d probably faint.”

They broke into laughter again.

“His wife is really lucky,” someone else said with a dreamy sigh.

Lila kept her focus on cleaning the counter, carefully wiping down mugs as if she hadn’t heard a word. But their voices carried easily in the small space.

Lucky, huh?

The thought lingered quietly in her mind as the conversation carried on, drifting from one topic to another like the steam rising from freshly brewed coffee.

The soft chime of the doorbell cut through the gentle murmur of conversation.

A woman stepped inside.

She carried herself with quiet elegance-her posture straight, her movements unhurried, as if she were accustomed to being noticed without trying. Her eyes swept across the café, taking in every detail, from the warm lighting to the neatly arranged shelves of beans and cups.

For a brief moment, the room seemed to settle.

Then she approached the counter.

“One cappuccino, please,” she said, her voice calm and refined.

“Of course,” Lila replied with a polite smile, already reaching for a cup.

As she prepared the drink, Lila found herself glancing toward the stockroom door. More customers had begun to trickle in, and normally, Marlou would have reappeared by now-quietly taking his place, effortlessly helping wherever he was needed.

But the door remained closed.

Lila handed the cappuccino to the elegant lady, who accepted it with a small nod of thanks before choosing a seat by the window.

Still, Marlou hadn’t returned.

A flicker of concern crossed Lila’s face.

“I’ll be right back,” she told the girls at the counter, setting the cloth aside before slipping quietly toward the

stockroom.

Inside, the air was cooler, tinged with the earthy scent of coffee beans.

“Marlou?” she called softly.

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She found him seated in the corner, elbows resting on his knees, his gaze distant-lost somewhere far beyond the small room. The usual calm confidence he carried seemed… dimmed.

“Hey,” Lila said gently, stepping closer. “Are you okay?”

He looked up at her, as if pulled back from wherever his thoughts had taken him.

“Yeah… I’m okay,” Marlou replied.

But the words didn’t quite match the weight in his eyes.

Lila studied him for a moment, unconvinced. “Are you sure? Do you want me to call Ina to pick you up?” she asked, her voice soft but insistent.

“No, no,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “I’m really fine.”

He pushed himself up, brushing off his hands as if trying to shake away whatever lingered in his mind. For a second, it seemed like he would walk past her and return to the café.

But as he reached the doorway, he stopped.

Froze.

His hand hovered near the frame, his shoulders tensing.

Silence stretched between them.

Then, without turning, he spoke-his voice quieter now.

“Actually… I’m not feeling well. Can I stay here?”

His head dipped slightly, the words carrying a weight he hadn’t shown before.

Lila didn’t hesitate.

“Yes, of course you can,” she said gently.

There was no judgment in her voice-only quiet understanding.

And in that moment, the noise of the café, the laughter, the whispers-all of it felt far away, leaving just the two of them in the stillness of the stockroom.

The bell above the café door chimed softly once more.

Moments later, the elegant lady stepped out, her presence leaving as quietly as it had arrived.

Inside the stockroom, Marlou remained still for a few seconds longer-listening.

Waiting.

Then, slowly, he stood and made his way to the doorway. His posture had changed; the tension that once held

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his shoulders tight had eased. He scanned the café carefully, his eyes moving from table to table, lingering just long enough to be certain.

She was gone.

Only then did he step out.

Almost instantly, he slipped back into rhythm-as if nothing had happened. He moved quickly between tables, clearing cups and wiping surfaces, offering small smiles and brief exchanges with customers. The ease in his movements returned, calm and controlled.

The girls in the corner lit up the moment they saw him again.

“Can we take a picture with you?” one of them asked, barely containing her excitement.

Marlou gave a small, apologetic smile. “I’m… not really comfortable in front of the camera.”

“Aww,” they chorused-but it didn’t stop them.

Before he could protest further, a phone was already raised, and a quick snapshot was taken. Another followed, capturing him mid-movement as he shook his head with quiet amusement.

Behind the counter, Lila watched him carefully.

“Are you okay now?” she asked softly when he passed by.

Marlou glanced at her, the faintest smile touching his lips. “Yeah. You should take a break. I’ll take over.”

Lila hesitated for a second, searching his expression, then nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”

She stepped out from behind the counter, wiping her hands on her apron before slipping out the side door that led to her small flower shop just next door.

The soft scent of blooms welcomed her instantly.

Inside, Ina stood behind the counter, busy wrapping a bouquet with practiced hands.

“Oh, thank goodness you remembered your other employee,” Ina teased the moment she noticed Lila leaning against the back door, grinning.

“Need a hand?” Lila asked, already glancing at the front.

“Two customers. Perfect timing,” Ina replied.

Lila moved to the worktable without another word. Side by side, they worked-selecting stems, trimming edges, arranging colors with quiet familiarity. Her fingers moved almost instinctively, wrapping paper around fresh blooms, tying ribbons into neat bows.

There was something calming about it. Grounding.

Soon, the last two customers left, their arms full of flowers and smiles.

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Chapter 150

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Ina flipped the sign on the door to Closed for Break, the soft click marking a brief pause in their day.

“Lila, you need to hire another person for the coffee shop,” Ina said, settling into a chair and taking a bite of her snack. “I’ve seen it-you and Marlou can barely keep up sometimes.”

Lila leaned against the counter, her gaze drifting toward the window. Outside, the street buzzed with life- more than it used to. Strangers passed by with cameras, laughter, and curiosity.

“Yeah… I’ve thought about it too,” she said quietly.

Her eyes followed the movement outside, thoughtful.

“Things are getting busier here. More tourists are starting to discover this place.”

Ina nodded, glancing out as well.

“It’s because the beaches are beautiful,” Lila added, her voice soft, almost distant.

But her thoughts seemed elsewhere-somewhere between the growing town, the quiet café next door…

…and the look on Marlou’s face earlier.

By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, the café had quieted.

The last customer had left with a satisfied smile, and the once lively space softened into a gentle stillness. Chairs were stacked, tables wiped clean, and the faint aroma of coffee lingered in the air like a comforting memory.

Lila let out a small breath, resting her hands on the counter as she looked around.

It had been a good day.

Busy, a little overwhelming-but good.

Across the room, Marlou moved quietly, finishing the last of the cleaning. He hadn’t said much since stepping out of the stockroom earlier. His silence wasn’t heavy, but it lingered-like something waiting to be acknowledged.

Still, Lila didn’t push.

Soon, they locked up and stepped out into the evening.

The drive home was calm, the kind that made the world feel slower. Lila rolled down the window, letting the cool air brush against her face, carrying with it the scent of salt and distant waves.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Then Marlou broke the silence.

“You won’t ask me about it?”

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Chapter 150

Lila kept her gaze forward, her voice gentle. “If you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t pry.”

There was a pause.

Then, a quiet smile formed on Marlou’s lips.

“She was there,” he said. “The lady who sat by the window.”

Lila didn’t interrupt. She simply listened, her attention steady.

“You still love her?” she asked softly.

Marlou shook his head almost immediately. “No… no. I just don’t want to see her. Not now.”

Lila understood.

More than he probably realized.

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Her thoughts drifted-uninvited-to someone she hadn’t seen in a long time. She wondered what she would feel if Damon suddenly stood in front of her.

The question lingered longer than she liked.

There had been news before-whispers, rumors-but lately, nothing. Even though Maddy had been by his side once, there were no announcements, no engagement rumors, no signs of anything serious. He attended galas alone, always composed, always distant.

Maybe he was protecting his image.

Or maybe…

Lila exhaled softly, letting the thought slip away with the wind.

“I want to marry Jenny.”

Marlou’s sudden words pulled her back.

She turned slightly, a smile forming on her lips.

“Yeah,” she said warmly. “Jenny is a good woman.”

There was no hesitation in her voice.

“So when you start planning, I’ll help you,” she added.

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Marlou nodded, his expression more certain now. “I’m planning to formally ask her parents first. Ask for their blessing.”

Lila’s smile widened just a little.

“Alright,” she said lightly. “I’ll approve your leave then.”

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Chapter 150

For the first time that day, Marlou let out a quiet laugh.

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And as the car continued down the dimly lit road, the weight of the past seemed-at least for now-a little easier to carry.

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15:24 Mon, May 4