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

Flora relaxed as soon as she heard that familiar voice, her tense posture melting into something more laid-back as she turned to see who it was. Walking towards her in a commanding black coat, with an air of authority and grace, was Connor, flanked by Moss and Beck. "Mr. Connor!"

Luke's face went pale, his earlier swagger disappearing instantly. Connor's presence turned everything upside down. The Reyes family was one thing, but Connor was on a whole different level-no way would he dare cross him, not even with a hundred chances. Adrian, on the other hand, was over the moon. Connor was here, and he was backing his sister! The Jones family was done for now!

Youth, intrigued, gave Connor a once-over, sizing up Flora's fiancé.

"Flora."

Connor strode right up to her, and her face lit up with a smile. "Finished with work?"

He nodded, his eyes softening with affection. "All done."

"This is such a hassle," Flora suddenly muttered.

Connor got the message loud and clear. "I'll take care of it."

"Okay."

Connor turned his icy gaze on Luke, not uttering a single word. The silence was enough to send Luke into a cold sweat.

"Mr. Connor... I'll, uh, leave right now, okay?"

He wished he could just vanish into thin air.

"Leaving just like that?" Connor's voice was as cold as ever.

"What???" Luke was on the verge of tears, terrified of Connor. He still remembered the time Connor hung him from a tree overnight as payback for messing with Kruz when they were kids. In the dead of winter, no less. That memory still sent chills down his spine. Connor didn't waste any more words. He gave Moss a quick look.

In an instant, Luke's knees buckled, and he was on the ground, with strong hands pressing on his shoulders.

"Apologize to Ms. Flora."

The humiliation was unbearable, but

the grip on his shoulders was

relentless, his bones nearly giving t

way. Finally, he cracked and stuttered out an apology, "Ms. Elora, I'm really sorry for what I said... I apologize!"

"And Mr. Adrian."

Apologizing to Adrian stung even more than apologizing to Flora. Luke shut his eyes tight and, with a heavy heart, mumbled, "Sorry!"

He vowed to get even for today's humiliation.

The second he uttered those words, the weight lifted from his shoulders. Luke scrambled to his feet and bolted, panic-stricken.

"Mr. Luke..." Riley clung to his pant leg desperately.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Luke cursed under his breath. He had insisted on bringing Riley into the Reyes family, despite his father's objections. Losing Riley meant losing everything. He swallowed his pride and stammered, "Mr. Connor, Riley is part of the Jones family..."

Connor didn't bother responding,

glancing instead at Flora, who looked like she couldn't care less: "Flora, how about we head inside? I brought you a gift."

Flora gave a lazy nod, turning to walk inside with Connor.

They left without a backward glance.

Riley was still sprawled on the ground, and Luke hesitated, unsure whether to help him up or not. Adrian couldn't quite read Connor's intentions either.

Youth frowned, puzzled by their exit. What was this about? Even Flora's fiancé seemed uninterested in openly standing up for her.

Just as he was about to make a move himself, a shadow flickered in the corner of his eye, grabbing his attention.

***

Flora and Connor strolled side by

side, barely a few steps away when a piercing scream erupted behind them, followed by the thud of something-or someone-hitting the ground.