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

Bentley was shaken by what he saw, but he managed to keep it together—way

more than Lucy did.

Even though he was rattled, he didn't let it show. He turned to Lucy, gave her

hand a reassuring squeeze, and gently guided her to a chair so she could pull

herself together.

Lucy sat there for a long moment, struggling to catch her breath. It wasn't until

then that she finally noticed Amy lying on the floor. Her hand trembled as she

pointed at her daughter. "Honey, Amy's still there—we have to help her!"

Amy was the daughter they'd fought so hard to get back. The last thing Lucy

wanted was to see her hurt again.

"Just take care of yourself first," Bentley said with a frown, his tone edged with

impatience. "She's not going to die." Even so, he listened to Lucy and went over

to Amy, carefully helping her sit up.

he saw it: tiny shards of glass

glanced at

the shoulders. When she didn't

to the spot above her lip, trying

Amy's eyelids fluttered open, her vision foggy. For a second,

that dark, locked room. Ignoring the pain in

like a scared little

am. I won't sneak out

steal food anymore," she whispered, holding out half a pomegranate

hands, like she

Bentley felt a pang in his chest. No matter what, she was still his

to hurt you," he said, his

Daddy what happened?"

more. She tried

escape his arms, but she was no match

the end, Amy

his embrace.

family doctor showed up soon after. Once Amy got

and her breathing slowed. She finally calmed

her face filled with gentle worry. She

as soon as Amy opened her eyes, Lucy leaned

you feeling? Are you

just stared, dazed. Then she caught something calculating