too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian) novel Chapter 2

"What did you just say?" Lila thought she had misheard Dorian.

With a cold face, he repeated, "Put all your work on hold and only come back once you've calmed down. Also, hand over that movie project to your assistant."

She stumbled slightly, yelling, "What gives you the right?"

Taking a long, deep breath, she finally calmed down a little. "I can hand over other projects, but not this one! I secured that movie project myself, and you have no right to take that away from me."

However, Dorian scoffed like he had heard a joke.

"You secured it? With what? Did you think that the producer would've met you if it weren't for my connections and resources? Have you become so full of yourself, Lila?"

Lila was in utter disbelief, scanning him from head to toe as if a stranger had stood before her. "You're saying I relied on your connections? Where's your conscience, Dorian?

"I made you; I got you all the opportunities with my effort. And you're telling me now that I was the leech?"

His countenance remained cold. "We're bringing up the past now, huh, Lila? Well, let me ask you: would you have acted as ridiculous as you are now in the past?"

Lila took a step back, finding it hard to believe that this was reality. Her pale complexion concerned Dorian.

"Come on, Lila, just stop it. No one will ever replace you in my heart."

She found it ironic. "And what about Zara? What is she to you?"

The impatience he had suppressed reignited. "I see her as a sister. How many times do I have to repeat myself?"

Lila covered her eyes, taking a few long seconds to repress her urge to cry. "Stop lying to yourself, Dorian. I know I'll get replaced at any minute since Zara's return, and you want to fire me as your agent."

"Lila!" Dorian had become angered at this point. "Zara has nothing to do with your dismissal as my agent. I wanted another agent because I needed the resources in the fashion industry, and she happened to fulfill that criteria.

"You know how much I hate repeating myself, yet I do it time after time for you. How are you not satisfied yet?

"Besides, didn't you have more time to pursue your directing and photography endeavors after the dismissal? What was so wrong about giving you what you wanted?"

His last line elicited an exasperated laugh from Lila. "Giving me what I wanted?" she mused.

Back then, Dorian had eyed the resources of that potential new agent and harbored the thought of dismissing Lila as his agent. However, he had no clue how to come clean to her.

When she found out, she willingly terminated her position so he could smoothly acquire the new agent's resources. In the end, the narrative became the opposite—that he was the one who fulfilled her wishes.

All of a sudden, she began to doubt her relationship of five years.

Dorian had never seen Lila like this—her eyes were red and filled with self-doubt, yet she radiated an unmistakable intensity. When he reached out, it felt like he'd pricked himself on thorns, drawing blood with a single touch.

He disliked this version of her; she was supposed to be obedient, elegant, and aloof, and she should cling to him like a kitten at all times.

"Just stop, Lila." He massaged his brows to calm himself down. "If you like that bracelet so much, I'll just take it back in two days."

These words left Lila feeling helpless as if she were punching a pillow. No matter how much she had said, in Dorian's eyes, she was merely making a scene because of a bracelet. What he failed to understand was that this was the final nail in the coffin.

Seeing that she hadn't recovered from her emotions, Dorian added, "You like to be my agent, don't you? Fine. You can be my agent again once things stabilize in two years."

Her voice came out bitter and helpless. "I don't want that anymore."

"Not even you, Dorian," she thought.

Dorian was annoyed by her tone of despair. "Then, what do you want? A proposal? Fine. We can get engaged once my work is stable by the end of the year. Then, we'll get married next year."

A painful smile appeared on Lila's face. Those moments used to be the time she longed for the most, yet they felt undesirable at that moment. With that thought, she shook her head. "I don't want that, either."