Chapter 169 Lila Has Feelings for You

Kenny suddenly went quiet, like he was weighing his words carefully. When he finally spoke, it was barely above a whisper. "Owen, congrats on getting your freedom back. The sky's the limit now—just don't let your feelings get tangled up again and end up falling for Yvette's games." "Yeah, got it." I wasn't about to mess up my life for Yvette again. Plus, now that my finances were in a much better place, I wouldn't even consider begging her for anything—even if Lila's leg didn't heal properly. I'd stick to leaning on Uncle Benjamin for financial support. "This whole situation with Lila isn't your fault. Don't carry that guilt around. Whether she gets back on the show or not is up to fate. But there's something I've been holding back, and I think it's time I said it." My heart skipped a beat. What could he possibly have to say? Was he about to drop some bombshell like Uncle Benjamin did, confessing he's secretly loaded? "Go ahead," I said, bracing myself. Kenny's voice came through strong and steady, every word deliberate. "Owen, I really think you need to acknowledge Lila's feelings for you. This isn't just friendship—it's love." Kenny pressed on, not giving me a chance to dodge. "Your feelings for Yvette barely lasted a year, but Lila's feelings for you? Who knows how many years she's kept them bottled up." I blinked, trying to process his words, and almost laughed. "Kenny, come on. That's a stretch. Lila's already said she likes someone else—" He cut me off sharply. "She likes you. Don't let her excuses fool you. Think about it, Owen. Think about how she treats you. If she didn't have feelings for you, why would she risk her life and nearly lose her leg to save you? "Her injury isn't healing, but the moment she heard you weren't doing well, she dropped everything and flew across the ocean to check on you. And that time when your call disconnected? She panicked and left behind her career—everything—to find you. Does that sound like 'just a friend' to you?" I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out. "You can tell yourself you're just close friends," Kenny continued, his voice growing softer but no less insistent. "But Owen, even I wouldn't go that far for you. And the way Lila looks at you? That's not the look of someone who sees you as a buddy. She's loved you for a long time, longer than you realize." I stood there, completely stunned. My grip on the phone tightened as a flood of emotions hit me—shock, confusion, guilt—but not happiness. That part was missing entirely. Lila might be willing to give up everything for me, and I'd do the same for her, but Kenny's words forced me to confront something I hadn't before in her world, I was her priority. Her number one. It reminded me of how I used to be with Yvette. Back then, she was my entire world, and everything I did revolved around her. The difference between Lila's feelings and mine hit me like a ton of bricks. I'd been too blind to see it until Kenny spelled it out. Sensing he might've gone too far, Kenny's tone softened. "Owen, I'm not trying to guilt-trip you or pressure you into anything. Her feelings are hers to deal with, and it's up to you whether or not you want to respond. I've just been watching her suffer in silence for so long, and it's been eating at me. I had to say something." Leaning against the cold, white hospital wall, I let out a deep breath and cut him off before he could keep rambling. "I get it, Kenny. I'll think about it, okay? You go handle your work." He sighed, muttered a quick "Alright," and hung up. I stood there for a while, staring blankly at the pharmacy counter, completely drained. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, and I couldn't even muster the energy to sort them out. Eventually, I made up my mind. I couldn't respond to Lila's feelings—not now, maybe not ever. I didn't feel that way about her. Forcing myself into a relationship out of gratitude would be unfair to both of us. Honestly, I wasn't interested in love anymore. I decided to pretend I didn't know anything, to keep things as they were. Ignorance was bliss, after all. I picked up my prescription and was about to leave when I heard someone call out, "Randall?" Instinctively, I turned and caught sight of a man who looked eerily similar to Randall walking down the hallway with a doctor. Before I could get a better look, they disappeared around the corner. I didn't care enough to investigate. After grabbing some ointment for my wounds, I headed home. The past few days had been a whirlwind, more exhausting than a rollercoaster ride. Between all the chaos and Yvette's antics last night, I was utterly drained. I ended up sleeping straight through the afternoon and into the evening, only waking up when hunger finally won out. It was late, but it was prime time for some crayfish. I ordered a big portion, paired it with bread, and ate while scrolling through social media. The trending topics only made my frown deepen. Lila's decision to quit the show was still blowing up, and fans were begging the producers to hold her spot. They praised her as a talented actress with a bright future ahead of her and pleaded for her not to drop out. Clips of her performances were circulating everywhere, highlighting her unique presence and maturity far beyond her years. Even the judges had called her "a natural talent." After some thought, I drafted a few messages to my college friends, asking for their help. I was willing to pay whatever it took to get some traction for Lila. But before I could hit send, my phone lit up with an incoming call from Yvette. Startled, I accidentally answered it. What the hell? Why was Yvette calling me in the middle of the night? Didn't she know exes were supposed to stay out of each other's lives? "What do you want?" I asked sharply, annoyed. "Didn't we agree this morning that we wouldn't talk again? It's been, what, a few hours, and you're already calling?" There was a pause before she replied coldly, "It was a mistake. I didn't mean to call you."