Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life novel Chapter 1962

“All right, stop overthinking it.”

Jane didn’t say a word, just followed Fiona out the door.

The cruise ship was huge, easily big enough for a crowd. But since it was only people from Woods Corporation and International Glam onboard, it felt almost empty—there were plenty of spare rooms, and it never felt crowded. Even the event organizers were on this ship.

Maybe it was the gentle sway of the sea, or maybe everyone was just exhausted after everything that had happened. Some people were seasick, others hadn’t slept well, and most had retreated to their cabins. Hardly anyone was out on deck looking at the ocean, and the excitement from the first day had faded.

Too much had gone down lately. Everyone needed time to process.

When the ship reached the area known for sharks, the organizers dragged Addison out. She was forced to her knees, begging and pleading for mercy.

No one paid her the slightest attention.

Small sharks started circling in the water below. They didn’t look especially dangerous, but everyone knew better. In the sea, sharks were always in charge.

“Fiona, I’m not feeling well. I think I need to rest,” Jane said quietly.

“Jane,” Fiona called, stopping her in her tracks.

She didn’t let Jane leave. “If you really want to be in charge, you have to see all of this. Blood—it’s just part of the job at the top.”

Jane knew Fiona was right, but that didn’t make it any easier. She’d grown up shielded from all this. After taking over the Kidd family, she’d seen more betrayal and violence than she ever wanted. No matter how much she tried to toughen up, deep down, she still felt like that same little girl—never quite ready for this world.

In the end, you only have yourself to rely on. Nobody else.

“Throw her overboard,” Fiona ordered, hands folded behind her back.

She stood at the edge of the ship, Jackson at her side. As Addison was tossed into the sea, Jackson glanced at the young woman beside him, feeling a stab of pity. What had she been through to look so calm now, so numb to all this violence? Her eyes didn’t even flicker.

“Fiona.” Jane’s voice came from behind, steadier than before. “I didn’t leave. I want to try. I want to break through whatever’s holding me back.”

A small smile appeared on Fiona’s lips. She turned, pulling Jane next to her, and pointed to Addison thrashing in the water below.

“Look. That’s what happens to losers. Whether it’s you or me, that’s the fate that awaits anyone who fails—completely at someone else’s mercy.”