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

Fiona glanced at Erica, noticing her arched eyebrows and pleasant features. She absentmindedly twirled a pen in her hand, her eyes quietly studying the young woman before her, a faint smile giving her an approachable vibe.

"Name?" she asked.

"Erica," came the response.

"Age?"

"I just turned eighteen this year."

Well, she's the same age as me, Fiona thought.

"What's Allen to you?"

"He's my cousin. I really have nowhere else to go. If my mom finds out, she'll kill

me. My cousin has always looked out for me, so I had no choice but to come to him."

Fiona chuckled softly, glancing at the pen in her hand. Her eyes twinkled with a bit of amusement, though she kept it subtle.

"I don't know what your endgame is here, but it's obvious you're not just looking to terminate this pregnancy. You want to keep the baby, right?"

Erica's eyes widened in disbelief. How did Fiona manage to see right through her?

And yes, she did want to keep the child.

"Don't give me that look. I'm just following Allen's instructions. He thinks ending the pregnancy is best for you, too. You've got a bright future ahead, and with a cousin like Allen backing you, you don't want to throw it all away over a fleeting moment."

Erica stayed silent, clutching her stomach protectively, her eyes fixed on Fiona with fierce determination, as if daring her to try and take her baby away.

"Next, I'll give you some medication. At this stage, it should be pretty straightforward with minimal discomfort."

As Fiona's words hung in the air, the office fell silent, only to be abruptly filled with chaos-Erica's hysterical screams mixing with the sound of equipment being trashed.

Fiona had paid a small fortune to import that equipment, and being incredibly money-conscious, she angrily shoved Erica aside.

"Get out!"

She crouched to retrieve the damaged core of the equipment's screen, a piece she'd spent endless hours developing, now reduced to rubble.

On the brink of losing her cool, she spun around, her eyes flashing coldly, like a predator in the night.noveldrama

"I'll hold Allen responsible for this mess. Whatever you're planning, go ahead. But if it all blows up, you won't be able to protect your child. If you think public opinion will save you, think again. Not even Allen can shield you, nor can your parents."

Erica, oblivious to the complexities of the situation, looked at Fiona, bewildered.

Erica wasn't raised in the same world as Fiona, making it hard for her to grasp the nuances of what was happening. She only understood bits and pieces.

"I don't care what promises the guy who got you pregnant made, or what anyone else has told you. You're an adult now, and you've got to own.up to your choices. If you think you can drag Allen and that guy downwith you, mark my words-the media company under Woods Corporation, where Allen works, won't let it slide, and neither will your boyfriend."

It was the first time Fiona found herself speaking so much.

To Fiona, Allen was a rare gem in the entertainment industry, someone who could refresh and inspire. She saw him as a friend and naturally felt the need to look out for him.

Erica, on the other hand, was a different story. Fiona felt no sympathy for her.

As her phone chimed with a

message from Nash, Fiona

discovered that Sandy was raisinga fuss with the school over Yvenne's injury pinning the blame for Yvenne's second competition loss squarely on Fiona.