too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian) novel Chapter 200

"Your wrist," Noah reminded her.

Lila glanced down at her swollen wrist, which throbbed painfully. It was likely sprained.

"Yeah. I do. What are you doing here anyway?"

"What could I possibly want?" Noah scoffed with a smirk. "I just had a feeling you'd run into that mutt today, so I came to break up the party."

She sighed at his sarcasm, but she didn't get angry. She knew Noah's disdain for Dorian was mutual.

When she and Dorian were dating, Noah had only met him twice before bluntly declaring he wasn't good enough for her and telling her to break it off before she got in too deep.

At the time, Lila had just started dating Dorian. His attentiveness and care made her think Noah was simply being unreasonable. Besides, Dorian always seemed uneasy around Noah, so Lila avoided putting them in the same room.

Looking back now, Lila didn't regret being with Dorian. For a time, he truly loved her. But somewhere along the way, that love soured, and she had been too blind to see it.

She turned her gaze to the passing scenery outside the car window, lost in thought.

Noah didn't press the issue, choosing not to poke at her wounds any further. He drove her back to her home at Evergreen Heights without saying much.

"You've got plans with friends. No need to come in with me," Lila mentioned, flexing her wrist slightly, though it still hurt.

Noah glanced toward the house, noticing the lights on inside. Knowing Kieran was there, he decided not to insist.

"Let Kieran take care of the swelling," he said casually.

She nodded, exited the car, and walked toward the house.

The evening air was humid and heavy, the heat clinging to her dress, but it couldn't thaw the icy resolve in her eyes.

Dorian had said they were bound together for life, but knowing his personality, she figured it was just another one of his empty declarations.

Her hand rested on the doorknob, but she hesitated to turn it.