Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

"Ms. Larkin, you really do have a knack for acting," Fiona said, almost impressed. Pearl had nearly fooled her. But ever since she'd heard Pearl speak, Fiona had felt like something was off-like a puzzle piece was missing.

It all made sense when Tyler showed her a news article from twenty years ago. One glance and Fiona realized something didn't add up. The States Gazette hadn't even existed back then-it only started gaining traction thirteen years ago. Pearl was lying, plain and simple.

There was more. When Fiona had her hands around Pearl's throat, she couldn't help but notice the faint traces of plastic surgery. The real Pearl was actually Deanna―the timid woman the police officer had just taken away. Deanna had looked nervous from the second she stepped into the room.noveldrama

After the IV finished, Fiona signaled to Tyler and Nash. "Let's go," she said quietly, and together they left the hospital. Before stepping out, Fiona turned and waved goodbye to Pearl, closing that chapter for good.

Fiona had always suspected Ms. Larkin wasn't really dead. After all, hers was the only body never found in the fire. Now, with the entire Larkin family finally gone, Fiona could finally breathe easy.

That was why, ever since Jasmine's death, Fiona hadn't visited her grave. She just... couldn't. But now, she was finally ready.

The second they left the hospital room, a bunch of doctors rushed in, trying desperately to save "Pearl." But it was too late.

Standing outside the hospital, Fiona turned to Tyler and Nash. "You guys go on ahead. I need to take care of something." She waved them off, then flagged down a cab and gave the driver the cemetery address. The moment she slid into the back seat, exhaustion hit her like a wave. She drifted off, sleeping deeper than she had in years.

When she woke up, the car had pulled up to the cemetery gates. Fiona stepped out, carrying a bouquet of jasmine-Jasmine's favorite flower.

She laid the flowers gently against the headstone, her fingers brushing the cool stone. For the first time in a long while, she smiled.

"Jasmine, did you see? I got them all for you," Fiona murmured, leaning against the headstone. She laughed-loud and almost wild-as tears slipped down her cheeks.

Meanwhile, across town in the

Capital, Jackson stared at his phone,

stunned by Fiona's update. He'd

found nothing on his end.

Frustrated, he lashed out andra ed

a stone bench nearby, angry at himself for not being there when Fiona needed him. Contént

"Mr. Jackson, over here! Look!” One of his men ran over, pointing to the spot where Jackson had just kicked the bench. "I think we've found something-a basement or O something like it." '

Jackson turned, spotting a section of ground that had shifted. It looked just wide

enough for a kid to climb through.

"Dig it up. I want to know what's down there," Jackson ordered, his heart pounding.

If this really was a secret room, he could finally get back to Fiona. She wouldn't

have to fight her battles alone anymore.

What a stubborn girl, he thought, shaking his head.

Back with Fiona, it was late by the time she left the cemetery. As her car passed a club, she spotted Jane leaning against the wall, clearly sick. Fiona quickly told the driver to stop and hurried over.

"Hey, what happened? Did you overdo it with the drinks?" Fiona asked, glancing into the club to check for troublemakers.

"Was it the Kidd family? Are they hassling you?" she asked, her tone calm but concerned. Fiona had always known this moment would come for Jane. There was no running from it.