Ruby was the first to speak when she met Lila's eyes. "Hi, Mrs. Morgan."
Dumbfounded, Lila felt her eyebrows twitch. She had no idea how to respond, especially because she might be calling Ruby "Mrs. Morgan" in the future.
She nodded softly and politely replied, "Hi, Ms. Clemence."
Nicole motioned at Lila to come over. "Come here, Lila."
When she walked closer, she found Nicole and Ruby poring over a photo album. They must have been in the middle of a funny story because Lila heard their merry laughter when she arrived.
"Where's Grandpa and Grandma?" Lila was puzzled to find only the two ladies in the living room.
Nicole answered, "They're off to play Bridge. Take a look at this photo. Do you still recall what happened here?"
She pointed at a photo of Noah and Lila. Lila was in a clean, white dress, yet Noah suffered bruises all over his face. His clothes were tattered, clearly the aftermath of a fight.
That photo was taken in the second year Lila joined the Morgan family—when she was a high school junior.
Lila had been a beauty since young, but she was reserved and quiet. Boys in middle and high school loved quiet, proper girls like Lila. Often, they would try to hit her up or write her love letters.
Yet, Lila wasn't popular at all among girls. According to the girls, she was too full of it and a hypocrite. They gossiped behind her back, but she knew all about it.
She had tried to get along with the cliques, but it tired her out, and it didn't help much. She gave up soon after.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian)