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

"She's out cold," Tyler said.

He eased Anna onto the couch. Fiona was already pulling out her medical kit― she hadn't had to use her skills in ages, not since she'd come here. Anna looked like she was on the edge of a total breakdown, her body trembling, eyes wild and lost. Whatever had happened, it had shaken her so badly that she was barely holding it together.

Fiona's hands moved fast and sure, slipping slender needles into key pressure points on Anna's body, trying to pull her back from the edge.

"Tyler, can you bring me a bowl of warm water? When Anna wakes up, she's probably going to freak out."

Tyler nodded and left without a word. He didn't bother asking what the water was for—Fiona rarely explained herself, especially when she was this focused.

A few needles in, and Anna's whole body started to relax. The tightness in her brow eased, her breathing slowed, and she looked almost peaceful, like she'd finally drifted off to sleep.

Sweat dotted Fiona's forehead as she reached for the last needle. Carefully, she slid it into the crown of Anna's head, then wiped her hands and grinned. "Done!"

Tyler walked back in, carrying the bowl of water. He set it on the coffee table and looked over to find Fiona lounging with her feet up, munching on potato chips like this was just another lazy afternoon.

"Seeing you so chill makes me almost not want to ruin your mood by telling you who's behind this."

Fiona laughed, popping a chip into her mouth. "Let me guess-Carson?"

Tyler stared at her, caught off guard. He hadn't told her anything about the Kidd family on the phone. All he'd said was that there'd been trouble at International Glam.

"I saw Carson today,” Fiona said, as if that explained everything. “He just gives off that vibe, you know? Doesn't take a genius to figure out he was involved."

Earlier, when she'd run into Carson, she'd instantly recognized the signature International Glam makeup on his face. Then Tyler called She'd already suspected Carson-now, seeing Tyler'sO reaction, she knew she was right.

Lucky for her, she was heading to the Kidd family's place tomorrow anyway. She'd handle Carson then.

"I got these security tapes from the

city cameras, Tyler said, handing her a flash drive. "It's Carson, no doubt. The others with him, I couldn't track down. Either they're nobodies or they're really good at covering their tracks. I couldn't find much."

Fiona waved it off. "Doesn't matter. I'll get it out of Carson tomorrow."noveldrama

She wasn't about to let someone like him get away with this. Not a chance.

While they talked, Anna started to come around. It was slow-like her mind was surfacing through thick fog. She waved a hand in front of her face, but it didn't help clear the haze.

"You're just stressed. The dizziness'll pass," Fiona said gently.

Anna still couldn't see much, but when she heard Fiona's voice, she perked up instantly. "Mr. Connor, is that you? You're really here?"

"Yeah, it's me." Fiona reached over and patted Anna's hand, her voice soft and reassuring. “I'm going to take the needles out now. It might sting a little, but hang in there, okay?"

Fiona's voice was so gentle, Anna barely cared about the pain. She'd always looked up to Fiona; all she wanted was to see her.

As Fiona pulled the needles out,

Anna's vision finally started to clear.

The world sharpened, and for the

first time in ages, she could see Fiona the person she'd been. waiting so long to meet. Anna's whole face lit up with joy.