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.

when he saw it: tiny shards of

Bentley glanced at

shook Amy by the shoulders. When she

fingers to the spot above her lip, trying

eyelids fluttered open, her vision foggy. For a second,

was back in that dark, locked room. Ignoring the pain in

into herself, shaking like

am. I

whispered, holding out half

like she was desperate for

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

to hurt you," he said, his voice softer this time. "Can you

Daddy what happened?"

words only scared Amy more. She tried to pull away from him,

no match for his strength. Bentley held

hurt herself. In the end, Amy just slumped over and fainted

his embrace.

after. Once Amy got a sedative, her

breathing slowed. She finally

bedside, her face filled with

soon as Amy opened her eyes, Lucy leaned in,

warm. "Amy, how are you feeling? Are

moment, Amy just stared, dazed.