The Wife He Never Meant to Love (Lila and Damon) novel Chapter 265

Chapter 265

The car rolled through the grand gates of the estate, its headlights sweeping across the wide courtyard before coming to a slow stop in front of the mansion.

Before the engine had even fully died-

The doors burst open.

Damian and Ethan leapt out almost at the same time, their earlier restraint dissolving into pure, unfiltered excitement.

They ran.

Fast.

Light footsteps echoing against the stone pathway as they rushed inside.

“Grandma!” they called in unison.

Their voices rang through the mansion halls, breaking the usual stillness that had long settled over the place.

Inside, Margaret sat in the receiving hall, wrapped in a soft shawl, her posture slightly frail but her presence still commanding in its quiet way.

The moment she saw them-

Her face lit up.

“Ah… my boys,” she murmured.

Damian and Ethan reached her in seconds, throwing themselves gently but eagerly into her side, careful not to hurt her yet unable to hide their affection

Margaret laughed softly, her hands resting on their heads, fingers threading through

their hair.

“I missed you,” Damian said, his voice softer now.

“Me too,” Ethan added quickly, pressing closer.

Lila stood a few steps behind, watching.

And for a moment-

Everything felt right.

A warmth spread through her chest, fragile but real

She let out a quiet breath before turning away, heading upstairs to change.

When she returned, she went straight to the kitchen

The familiar space welcomed her like an old friend

Without wasting time, she tied her apron and began preparing dinner. The rhythmic sound of chopping vegetables, the soft clatter of utensils, and the rising aroma of food

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slowly filled the air.

Not long after-

Two small figures appeared at the counter.

Damian and Ethan climbed onto the stools, sitting side by side, their eyes fixed on her

every movement.

“What are you making?” Ethan asked eagerly

“Your favorite,” Lila replied without turning, a small smile forming on her lips.

Damian leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand.

“You always say that,” he said.

“And you always eat everything,” Lila countered.

The boys laughed.

And then-

They began talking.

At first, it was simple.

Small things.

Stories about their day.

But soon, their voices overlapped, excitement building as they shared every detail- Ethan’s stitching practice, the doctor’s reaction, the small triumphs and quiet competitions between them.

Damian added comments here and there, carefully chosen, subtly guiding the

narrative.

Lila listened.

Truly listened.

Her hands never stopped working, but her attention never left them.

The laughter that followed filled the kitchen, spilling into the dining hall, echoing softly through the corridors.

Even the staff paused.

Some stood quietly at the doorway.

Others exchanged glances.

It had been a long time-

Since the mansion felt like this.

Alive

Dinner passed in warmth.

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In noise.

In something dangerously close to happiness.

And for a few fleeting hours-

The world outside didn’t exist.

But night always comes.

And with it-

Silence.

The mansion lights dimmed one by one until darkness settled over the estate like a heavy blanket.

Inside their room, Damian and Ethan lay in bed.

Still.

Quiet.

Their breathing slow and even.

Or so it seemed.

The door creaked softly open.

Lila stepped out, her movements careful, deliberate.

She tiptoed down the hallway, making sure not to disturb anyone.

She didn’t notice-

Two pairs of eyes opening in the dark.

Damian’s gaze shifted first.

Then Ethan’s.

They didn’t speak.

Didn’t make a sound.

But in perfect, silent understanding-

They followed.

Two small shadows slipping out into the night.

Outside, the air was cooler.

The moon hung high, casting pale light across the courtyard

Lila walked quickly, her expression tense, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

And then

A figure emerged from the shadows.

The butler.

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“Ms. Lila,” he said urgently. “The madam is not feeling well. I’ve already called an

ambulance.”

Lila froze.

For a split second-

Her heart stopped.

Then it surged painfully against her chest.

“What happened?” she asked, her voice tight.

But she didn’t wait for an answer.

She ran.

From the shadows-

Damian and Ethan watched.

Silent.

Still.

Their small hands found each other instinctively.

And held tight.

“Mother!” Lila called as she rushed into Margaret’s room.

Margaret lay on the bed, her breathing shallow, her face pale but composed.

Her eyes opened slowly.

And when she saw Lila-

She smiled.

“It’s okay, dear,” she said gently. “Just a simple cold.”

But Lila knew better.

She had seen it.

Day by day.

The gradual decline.

The quiet weakening.

Margaret was growing older.

More fragile.

And time-

Was no longer patient.

The sound of sirens approached.

Faint at first.

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Then louder.

Closer.

Until the ambulance arrived at the estate.

The staff moved quickly, efficiently.

Margaret was carefully lifted onto a stretcher

As they carried her out-

She passed by the entrance.

Where two small figures stood.

Damian.

Ethan.

Hand in hand.

Watching.

Margaret’s gaze softened.

She smiled at them.

“Be good, kids,” she said.

The words were light.

But they lingered.

Lila pulled the boys into her arms, holding them close as the ambulance doors shut.

The red lights flashed.

Then disappeared into the night.

“Jackets,” one of the staff said quickly.

Warm fabric was wrapped around the boys.

Shoes were slipped onto their feet.

Everything happened fast.

Automatic.

Then-

They were in the car.

Following the ambulance.

“Mom…” Damian’s voice broke the silence.

“Will Granny be okay?”

Lila turned slightly, forcing a smile

“Of course, sweetie,” she said. “She’ll be fine

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But her hands trembled slightly in her lap.

At the hospital, everything blurred.

Forms.

Questions.

Signatures.

Lila moved through it all mechanically, answering what she needed to, doing what was

required.

Behind her-

The boys waited.

Sitting side by side.

Quiet.

Watching.

Always watching.

When it was done, Lila returned to them and sat down.

Only then did she truly see them.

Their hands-

Still clasped together.

Tightly.

As if letting go wasn’t an option.

Her chest ached.

Damian’s head slowly tilted to the side.

Then-

He drifted off to sleep.

Peaceful.

Still.

But Ethan-

Ethan remained awake.

His grip on Damian’s hand never loosened.

Not even for a second

His eyes stayed fixed on Lila.

Unblinking.

Sharp.

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Protective.

Guarding.

Not just his brother-

But her, too.

As if he understood something she didn’t.

As if he was waiting.

For something.

Or someone.

And in that quiet hospital corridor-

Under harsh white lights and the distant hum of machines-

The fragile illusion of peace began to crack.

Because somewhere beyond those walls-

Something was already in motion.

And it was getting closer.

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