Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life novel Chapter 1985

A few days later, just like Esther had worried, her patience finally snapped. She and Fiona already had a meeting set, but with two days still to go, an uneasy panic began to crawl under her skin.

This couldn’t be good.

Her instincts were rarely wrong—was something really about to go sideways this time?

Esther tried calling Fiona again and again. No answer. Each ring only made her more anxious.

Sure, the organization had sent her here, but no matter what, that promise she’d made to Fiona back on the island still stung like a splinter in her heart.

If Fiona couldn’t keep her safe, then when Esther went back, the chip version of her would be released to the world—and she’d lose everything.

No way. She couldn’t let that happen.

The more she thought about it, the more foolish she felt for agreeing so easily before. Now, she was completely cornered.

And with Fiona dodging her, Esther was running out of options.

“Miss Esther, would you like something to eat?” A voice called from the doorway.

Esther frowned, glancing at her phone on the coffee table. It was past 2 a.m. Who would bring her food at this hour?

She hadn’t called for room service.

Her heart thudded uncomfortably. She snatched up her phone and shoved it into her pocket.

Were they running out of patience?

Esther looked at the window. Seventh floor. If she jumped, she’d be lucky to survive—definitely wouldn’t be walking away.

“Hang on, I just got out of the shower,” she called out, stalling. Then she hurried to the window.

A broken leg was better than being dead.

She was just about to climb out when, suddenly, the room next door lit up. She peeked out and saw Fiona standing there, smiling at her.

She’d walked her own executioner right through the front door. Unbelievable.

“Ms. Fiona, does our agreement from the island still count?”

“Of course.”

Esther took a deep breath. She was out of options—time to gamble.

She pulled a sheet of paper from her pocket, crammed edge to edge with names.

She handed it to Fiona, her face serious. “Ms. Fiona, I’m begging you—please, keep me safe.”

“These are all the people who’ve had any contact with Country M’s research institute over the years. Not a single name missing. I swear it’s real. Some of these companies tried to back out halfway or made excuses—they’ve already been dealt with. You’ll have to check on that yourself.”

Fiona didn’t say anything, just took the list and looked it over. She memorized every name, especially the Stonnell and Woods families. The rest she’d pass to Tyler—he’d know how to sort them out.