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

Josie was completely floored, her eyes widening in sheer disbelief. She had only ever confided these secrets to Albert, so how on earth did Fiona find out?

A chill ran down her spine as she realized just how terrifying Fiona truly was. It was as if she had some uncanny ability to know everything before it happened.

Josie stumbled, reaching out to the wall for support. Blood trickled from her forehead, down her neck, and wrists, turning her once pristine white dress a deep crimson, the stain spreading like wildfire.

The pain was the least of her worries now. For the first time, she saw her own death reflected in the eyes of a girl not yet nineteen.

Fiona, you really are something else!

"How do you know all this?" Josie demanded, her voice shaking with fear.

Fiona shot her a look as if she were a fool, then turned to Albert. "Even after all this, are you still going to stand by her?" she asked.

Albert stayed silent for a few moments, and Fiona realized some people just wouldn't give up until it was too late, and others wouldn't give up even then.

"Well then, let's see what tricks the Larkin family has up their sleeve. I'm quite curious to find out whether it's me or the head of the Larkin family who's got the upper hand."

Her arrogance was almost tangible, reminiscent of Flora in her prime.

"Fiona, don't burn all your bridges. It won't do you any good," Albert cautioned.

Fiona waved him off with a chuckle, not even bothering to look his way. "Burning bridges? Sometimes stepping over a few bodies is easier than taking the smooth road."

"If you harm Zia today, you won't have an easy time explaining it to the Stonnell family."

Fiona let out a derisive laugh, barely able to contain her amusement. "Albert, it seems you're not up to speed. I've been back in the States for a while now. Surely the Stonnell family's funeral made enough noise for you to hear?"

Her words left Albert speechless, his mustache twitching with anger.noveldrama

Fiona pulled a small glass vial from her pocket, crouched down in front of Josie, and grabbed her chin, tilting her face up to meet her gaze. She shook the vial in front of her.

"Do you know what's in here?" Fiona asked, her voice as chilling as a winter's night.

Josie was too terrified to speak. She wished she had never set foot on the Woods estate, never even thought of it.

The vial was clear, its contents unmistakable.

"Ms. Aisha, those little parasites in your body are pretty basic. They take about twenty hours to consume a person. But what I've got here is different. Mine only needs two hours, and it listens to me perfectly, never turning on its owner. Since you've been feeding your parasites

with flesh, why not feed mine a little too?"

The more casually Fiona spoke, the more normal she seemed, and the more fear gripped Josie.

"Fiona, please, let me go. I'm

begging you, spare me! I'll never

stand against you again. Please, I'm

begging you," Josie pleaded, her voice thick with terror as she backed away.