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

Esther: "???"

Okay, that was dramatic.

But honestly? Esther decided to trust Fiona anyway, giving her a small smile. "Alright, I'll do what you say."

Once Esther left, Fiona glanced up, her sharp, bright eyes catching Tyler's. He looked like he was a million miles away.

"What's up? Something on your mind?"

Tyler shook his head, but then let out the thoughts he'd been holding in. "I just have a bad feeling about Esther."

"Go on," Fiona prompted.

"She was in such a rush to find us. That tells me Country M's probably decided to just let the whole chip- Esther situation play out. She came straight to us, told us everything. Honestly, from the very start, she's been the chip-Esther. But I don't think the real Esther is actually dead."

"And there's something else," Tyler added after thinking for a bit. "Back on the island, Jane said Esther was arrogant and impossible—totally not the weak, helpless person we met today. If this really is the chip-Esther, she'd never act like that. When she was competing on the island, it was obvious she had serious connections. If she got replaced, it was probably because of her own choices."

Fiona listened quietly, feeling a flicker of pride. Tyler was definitely getting more observant.

That was progress.

little notebook. "So, do

Tyler said without hesitation. "The chip-Esther's starting to think for herself,

to the Stonnell estate, then. There are a few people there who need

argue. They headed out

the road, while Fiona settled back and quickly drifted off, exhaustion catching up

take out the research team from Country M. Only then could she break

just gave her a solid excuse to pay a visit to the Country M

out cold the moment she got in the car, only waking up

their familiar car rolling up.

trouble herself was

Now what?

Nobody in

Fiona slowly woke up, blinking herself back to life, looking like she'd just had the

raspy. She glanced down and noticed a jacket

on," Tyler said. "No point in getting blood on your

and walked straight into the estate. Not a single person