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

Fiona was the one who'd pulled her out of the darkness.

Anna knew she'd spend the rest of her life looking up to Fiona-like she was something holy, untouchable.

But Anna felt ruined, dirty all the way through. After everything those men had done to her, after being pinned down and left powerless, she was terrified she'd just end up staining the only good thing in her life-her goddess, Fiona.

She was still so young. Anna stared at Fiona, wide-eyed and silent, until the dam finally broke. She started sobbing, loud and messy, her cries filling the whole room. She looked so lost and small, even more pitiful than before.

"Mr. Connor, I'm so sorry. I let you down," Anna choked out, tears streaming down her face.

She'd promised herself she'd become someone like Fiona-strong, respected, unbreakable. But look at her now. She could barely keep herself together.

Fiona didn't blame her. She just smiled, soft and reassuring, her eyes warm and full of hope. She reached over and gently ran her fingers over the bruises on Anna's hand. "It's okay. You've already done so much. Just tell me who hurt you?"

Her voice was cool but gentle, wrapping around Anna like a soft blanket, and suddenly Anna was crying even harder.

"Mr. Connor, I don't know who it was. I really don't." Anna shook her head, refusing to say more. She couldn't. She wouldn't.

She knew how hard Fiona and Jasmine had worked to build International Glam from nothing. Compared to that, what did her pain even matter? She could swallow it down. It was just one person's shame, nothing more.

Fiona looked at her, saw right through her lie, but didn't push. She just picked up a glass of water and took a slow sip, her face calm.

She leaned back on the couch, legs crossed, looking out the window. Night had already fallen, but the city outside was alive with lights, buzzing like it never slept.

Then, out of nowhere, Fiona stood up and walked to the huge window. She pointed at the brightest sign

across the street-"Golden Glownet

shining in gold. She called Anna over, her voice steady:en there?"

Anna followed her gaze-and instantly, her whole body went cold. She started shaking, fear tightening every muscle.

Fiona noticed right away, but didn't say anything. Instead, she kept talking, her tone casual. "Golden Glow is a nice place. Safe, too. Lots of people go there to relax. It's usually fine. How about I treat everyone tomorrow? Let the whole team loosen up a bit."

Anna flinched at the suggestion, trembling even harder.

"What's wrong? You don't like it?" Fiona looked at her, her eyes full of concern.

Anna looked into Fiona's gentle eyes, and suddenly she couldn't keep it in anymore. She broke down, spilling everything that had

happened at Golden Glow-she couldn't let anyone else get hurt. She

didn't want Fiona el

on the

team, to go through what she did.

“It's not that. I just... I really don't like that place. Can we go somewhere else? Even just dinner would be better."

Fiona pretended to think it over for a few seconds. "But everyone's been working

so hard. They deserve a break. We can eat anywhere, but it's your well-being that matters, right?"

Anna knew there was no changing Fiona's mind. If she didn't speak up now, Fiona wouldn't let it go.

But saying it out loud felt like peeling off a scab.noveldrama

"Tyler, wait for me downstairs. We'll head home together in a bit," Fiona finally

said, sensing Anna needed to talk privately.

“Okay. I'll be downstairs,” Tyler replied.