Chapter 8

Zara was halfway through her sentence when she noticed that Dorian's expression had soured considerably. The neighbor replied enthusiastically, "Yes, she's just about that height, and her little face is truly exquisite!" Dorian's face darkened, and his gaze turned cold when he heard this. Usually, he and Lila would update each other about their schedules, but over the past couple of days, he intentionally gave her the silent treatment because she sulked. Yesterday, he found out that Billy had given her a two-week break, and now she had come to complain to Taylor and Camille. No wonder the couple who were usually so kind to him gave him such a hard time today. Dorian glanced at Zara, who had slightly furrowed her brows and began to think that Lila was not only spoiled but also quite calculating. After waiting for nearly two hours, Camille had Taylor call him. "Dorian, Camille and I really can't spare the time right now. You should head back first, and I'll contact you another day." Dorian pressed down his emotions and replied, "Okay." After hanging up, his eyes grew colder. The neighbor, however, seemed oblivious to the tension and continued, "Do you know her? Does she have a boyfriend?" Dorian didn't answer that question but asked, "Did you see Mr. and Mrs. Foster leave today?" The neighbor thought momentarily. "I didn't notice them in the morning, but after that woman came, I didn't see them leave either. You arrived not long after she did. I noticed you both standing out there for quite a while, so I got curious and came out to ask." Kiley was out for a short time, and the neighbor happened to miss seeing her. But this information confirmed Dorian's suspicions. Lila must have just left when Taylor called him over, and they didn't let him in. This wasn't because they were busy; it was clearly to vent for Lila. Zara saw the look on his face and gently reassured him, "Don't be angry just yet; maybe there's a misunderstanding here. "You two just had a little argument. She wouldn't talk bad about you in front of Mr. Foster. Even if she did say something, he isn't unreasonable, right? "Today's situation must be a misunderstanding. Just have a good talk with Lila. She likes you so much, and if you keep ignoring her, it'll only hurt her feelings." Dorian was already frustrated, and her words only made him angrier. The evidence was right before them, yet Zara was still defending Lila. He genuinely couldn't understand why Lila looked down upon someone as gentle and simple as Zara. Was a single bracelet worth causing such a scene that she even brought it up with Taylor? The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. After driving Zara back to her place, he headed straight for Lila's small apartment. "Lila!" He pounded on the door and shouted. The fury in his eyes was almost tangible as if it could ignite at any moment. A neighbor was startled and opened the door slightly to remind him, "Sir, don't knock so loudly. The tenant next door hasn't been back in two days." Dorian wore a mask, so the neighbor initially didn't recognize him. Fearing that Dorian was some sort of madman, he quickly shut the door. Lila hadn't returned for two days. He had known her since she moved into this apartment, and she had nowhere else to go. How could she not return for two days with her now on vacation? Suppressing his anger, Dorian attempted to call Lila, but his cousin Darcy Blake called him first. He frowned when he answered, and before he could say anything, she excitedly asked, "Dorian, I heard from Ethan that you broke up with Lila! When are you planning to go public with your relationship with Zara?" Darcy idolized Dorian and liked Zara, a sweet woman. She admired them both to the point of detesting Lila. Lila had no connections or status. What made her worthy of Dorian's status as a screen legend, except for her looks? This comment deepened Dorian's frown. "What are you talking about? When did I get together with Zara?" Darcy was shocked. "What do you mean, Dorian? You gave that sandalwood bracelet to Zara in front of the whole nation! If you're not together, how will she hold her head high in public?" He was taken aback. "What are you implying?" "Don't you know what that sandalwood bracelet symbolizes? Isn't that the one you got from Mount Shasta?" He took a deep breath to calm himself. "You're saying that giving that sandalwood bracelet to Zara means we're together? What's Mount Shasta got to do with it?" "You really don't know? Where did you get that bracelet? Everyone says Mount Shasta is great for seeking love and that sandalwood bracelet is special." Her words left him momentarily speechless. Darcy continued, "But I noticed a primrose pattern on yours, which probably signifies safety." Leaning against the wall, Dorian rubbed the back of his phone with his finger, pondering her words. Lila had given him that bracelet after he had fallen ill. At the time, they had just started dating and were deeply in love. Though it wasn't an expensive gift, wearing it made him incredibly happy. Lila said it was for protection and insisted that he wear it properly. He had worn it for five years. Thinking back to the look in Lila's eyes at that time—her youthful charm, joy, and affection in her gaze—still moved him. "Dorian?" Seeing that he wasn't responding, Darcy said, "Many people know that the sandalwood bracelet is for seeking love. You just gave it to Zara, and the news about your relationship is all over the internet." He snapped back to reality and was stunned. He couldn't put into words how he felt. But now, he understood why Lila was causing such a ruckus. The sandalwood bracelet was meant for their love; she could tolerate him not wearing it but couldn't accept him giving it away. With this realization, a faint smile crept onto his face. Lila was making such a scene—talking about breaking up, leaving her team, and complaining to Taylor—simply to let him know how much their relationship meant to her. "Dorian?" He came back to his senses. "Focus on graduating. Don't meddle in mine." After saying that, he hung up and prepared to call Lila. After leaving Taylor's house, Lila had intended to go home and rest but found herself driving unconsciously to the foot of Mount Shasta. She exited the car and looked up at the mountain peak, where she could faintly see the church. She had only been here three times in her lifetime. The first time was after her parents passed away when she was taken to live with the Morgan family. Amelie had brought her here to pay respects to her parents. The second time, she came to pray for Dorian's safety and to seek love for them. The third time, she came to return the favor after Dorian had returned safe and sound. She also left a unique talisman with a red ribbon from Mount Shasta to bless their relationship. All three visits had been sincere, and she had slowly walked up the steps. But this time, she took the cable car up to the mid-mountain. The wind picked up as she made her way up, and she wrapped her jacket tighter around her. Skirting the front hall, she headed straight for the wishing tree in the back. It was an ancient locust tree that had lived for hundreds of years. Its branches were lush and green, decorated with countless red cloths. She reached out to touch the talisman she had tied three years ago. It remained as it was over time, and the red cloth below had not faded at all. "May Dorian and Lila be together forever." She raised her hand to take it down. But the pendant was tangled up with so many others that she couldn't get it off. Why should she cling to it since they had already drifted apart? Holding the talisman tightly in both hands, she suddenly pulled with all her might, and with a cracking sound, it broke in two. However, the red cloth remained entangled and still hanging on the tree. The safety talisman for Dorian was still hanging next to it. "Wishing Dorian a smooth life and getting what he desires." She tugged at it, pulling off just the tassel. The red cloth was torn but remained hanging on the tree. Lila thought about looking for scissors or something to cut them down. Before she could find anything, her phone rang. It was Dorian. Her gaze fell on the broken talisman as she stood in the corridor. Dorian had been waiting on the other end of the line for quite some time, and the call was about to hang up when it was finally answered. "Is there something you need?" Lila's tone was flat.