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

Chapter 1026

"No worries," she said, lounging back on the couch, "You're pretty cute."

Cute?

The staff member blushed a little; no one had ever complimented her like that before. Ms. Flora was genuinely kind. Cecelia, with her striking looks and knack for finding the camera, had wrapped up the photo shoot in just half an hour.

After changing back into her regular clothes, Henrik checked his watch and said, "It's lunchtime. How about we grab a bite?" "Sounds great!" Cecelia nodded eagerly. Lunch with Henrik alone might have been a no-go, but with Flora in the mix? She was all in!

As the three of them headed out, Cecelia's phone buzzed inside her bag.

When she checked it, her face fell. The smile disappeared in an instant.

"What's up?" Henrik asked, noticing her shift in mood.

"Oh, it's nothing," Cecelia replied, forcing a smile. "Just a sudden stomach ache. Mind if I hit the restroom? Can you guys wait for me here?"

Henrik studied her for a moment before nodding.

shrugged it off, agreeing

restroom, but instead down a side corridor

middle-aged couple

with their hands tucked into their sleeves, giving them a shady appearance. "What are you doing here?" Cecelia snapped, her nerves on edge. She glanced around to ensure no one was watching before quickly pulling them to a more secluded

can't be here

choice but to come find you," the man said, revealing yellowed teeth as he spoke, "Hand over

don't have that kind

no interest in

Flora, threatening to stick around unless she came down

she had come

or the young lady to encounter these unsavory

money?" the man scoffed, "Don't act like I don't know-you rake in

on, Celja, it's

soft with the shyness of a country woman, "Your siblings need money for school, and those creditors are always breathing down our necks about your father's debts. If we don't pay,

buried deep down, ones that filled her with despair and disgust, resurfacing. She felt sick to her

her, "I raised you for over a decade, and this is how you

I hadn't taken you