Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life novel Chapter 1958

Failed projects usually get wiped out—Josie was proof of that.

And honestly, Amy’s ending wasn’t going to be much better. The only difference was, Amy never stopped fighting for her own survival. In that, at least, she did better than Josie ever could.

“Esther, nothing stays hidden forever,” Fiona said quietly.

Esther stared at her, anxiety creeping in until it swallowed her whole. She couldn’t move, couldn’t even breathe right. Fiona didn’t have to threaten her—the icy chill running down Esther’s spine was enough to freeze her in place.

“Fiona, if only we weren’t enemies. Wouldn’t that be something?” Esther’s voice was soft, almost wistful.

Fiona finally looked over, her eyes cool and steady. “You want to be friends? Esther, that’s not how things work back in Country M.”

“You’ve got a lot of secrets buried in that body of yours,” Fiona added.

Esther went stiff, her hand snapping out to grab Fiona’s arm. Panic flashed in her eyes. “You know? You really know?”

“Could you save me, then?”

Fiona just shook her head, her face unreadable. She sounded like she was making small talk with an old friend. “You know better than anyone—your body’s already at its limit. And even if I could save you, I wouldn’t.”

She glanced at Esther, her expression cold. “Go home, Esther. Go clear your name, if you can.”

It was a clear dismissal. Esther hesitated, but Fiona had already leaned back in her chair and shut her eyes, as if the conversation was over.

Esther walked away, shoulders slumped, like she suddenly understood a lot more than she wanted to.

She realized all at once that everyone around her had secrets, things hidden away in their past. She was the lucky one—the girl who’d grown up happy, protected, never once having to face the darkness that lurked just beneath the surface.

“You don’t have to blame yourself,” Fiona said, her voice gentle as she met Jane’s eyes. “None of this is on you. You were never meant to get dragged into this mess. Besides, the Kidd family’s got a name in the States—they’d never let you anywhere near this kind of trouble.”

It wasn’t just Jane who’d been sheltered. Shelly hadn’t known anything about this side of the world, either. If Jasmine hadn’t died so suddenly, Shelly would probably still be that spoiled, willful heiress—loved, protected, and living a charmed life.

Right then, the host’s voice boomed out from the stage, snapping everyone’s attention forward.

They were about to announce the first-place team.

Even the people watching online seemed more on edge than the contestants themselves—eyes glued to the screen, waiting for the final results.