Lila was completely drained, but when it came to taking a shower, she insisted on pushing Kieran out of the bathroom. After a quick rinse, she stepped out.
The moment she opened the door, she was met with Kieran's amused gaze. Even in loose sleepwear, he exuded an effortless elegance, like a quiet light in the darkness—cool and composed, yet inexplicably reassuring.
Lila looked at him, her lips curving into a soft smile, warm like the first breath of spring. Wrapped in his arms, she drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep and didn't wake up until the alarm rang the next morning.
Lila stirred slightly, feeling the weight of his arm around her waist. "It's time to get up," she said, her voice heavy with sleep.
Kieran reached over to silence the alarm and, instinctively, patted her back. "Why don't you sleep a little more?"
"I can't. I've got work at the company today, and I'm heading to the set soon." Lila wriggled out from under the covers, laughing as she patted him. "If you're tired, you can sleep in a bit more."
However, Kieran had already opened his eyes. He sat up slowly, his gaze lingering on her for a long moment.
Lila noticed and frowned slightly. "What's wrong?" Then, she glanced down and immediately realized—her skin was covered in faint marks from the night before.
Her breath hitched as she grabbed the blanket and threw it over him. "Stay under there! I need to change."
A deep, muffled chuckle came from beneath the covers. "It's a little stuffy in here. Can I come out?"
"No, you can't! Give me two minutes!" Lila shot back without hesitation. She got dressed as fast as she could, then pulled Kieran out from under the blanket.
Meanwhile, Lila was busy brushing her teeth, completely unaware of the new "plans" forming in Kieran's mind. She lifted her gaze, looking at herself in the mirror. Slowly, her expression grew more determined.
"Lila, you have to work harder," she thought to herself. She had always said that she and Kieran were a team and that they would face everything together.
But when the crisis hit Morgan Group, she realized just how powerless she was. She hadn't been able to help at all—not even to stand firmly by his side without hesitation.
That had to change. From now on, she needed to work harder. Lila wanted to stand at the top with him, to be someone who could protect their family, to be his equal.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the bathroom, only to see that Kieran was already dressed. He was fastening his watch, his tailored suit fitting him perfectly, exuding an air of authority. As soon as he lifted his gaze, their eyes met.
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The readers' comments on the novel: too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian)