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

She resisted the urge to flick on the light switch. If someone had truly broken in, lighting up the room would be like painting a target on her back.

She tiptoed cautiously to the left, familiar with every nook and cranny of the villa.noveldrama

Out of nowhere, a sharp scream sliced through the nighttime silence, immediately followed by the lights flicking on, revealing a perfectly arranged room.

"Ah!!! You stepped on my hand!" Jasmine almost leapt out of her skin.

She had been crouched on the floor, groping for a lighter, when Fiona accidentally stomped on her hand.

"Jasmine, you..." Fiona began, but Jasmine cut her off with a playful scold: "You little rascal, I almost got squashed because of you!"

Everyone emerged from their hiding spots, bearing gifts, flowers, and delicious treats.

The most striking sight was Jackson, slowly wheeling in a towering six-tier cake from the dining room. The room was awash in colorful lights, casting a warm and inviting glow.

When Jackson entered, he seemed to shimmer with charisma, as if enveloped in a golden aura.

"Brother!" she cried out in excitement, rushing over to Jackson and enveloping him in a tight hug. "I thought you wouldn't make it to my birthday party."

"How could I miss it? Nothing's more important than you," Jackson replied, gently squeezing her cheek with a tender smile. "Happy birthday."

In the box was a pair of sparkling crystal heels.

"Fiona, you're all grown up now. Time to strut your stuff in high heels."

...

The massive cake was shared among everyone, and the night was filled with laughter and joy. Even Fiona let loose, eventually passing out on a soft rug spread across the floor after a few too many drinks.

Two days passed.

Everyone had spent two wild days of partying before slowly coming back to their

senses.

Now, it was time for Jackson and Zoe's engagement party, hosted on a grand cruise ship. Zoe gripped her lipstick tightly, her face glowing with a constant, joyous smile.

She had been waiting years for this moment, and it was finally here.

Meanwhile, Jackson stood on the ship's deck hands clasped behind his back, tost in thoughts of Fiona's birthday. He remembered her arms wrapped around his neck, leaning against him, calling him "brother" over and over, stirring something deep inside.

That's when he confronted the truth about his feelings.

He was in love with Fiona!

He loved the Fiona who was his and his alone.

The engagement party was to be broadcast live, making it a lavish affair.

Zoe hadn't anticipated Jackson putting so much effort into it. She tightened her grip on the lipstick. If only their relationship wasn't entangled with the Woods family's business dealings, it would be perfect.

Still, Jackson's focus on the engagement party suggested she was important to him.

Whether it was real or not, from this day forward, she would be Mrs. Woods, Jackson's official wife. As for the young Fiona, she was just a distraction for Jackson's idle momènts. Ultimately, Zoe was the one who deserved to stand by Jackson's side.

Besides, she had already become Jackson's woman two nights ago.

However, Jackson seemed to have some issues in that department, giving up after just half an hour, Still, he seemed to enjoy the thrill of the chase, even going as far as to tie her hands and feet and blindfold her...

"Something's wrong, something's wrong!" came a frantic knock at the door.