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

"Jackson, how's Fiona doing?" Nash's mom finally rushed in, gripping Jackson's hand with worry. "She's not in any real danger, right?"

"You're my sister, and haven't I told you before not to push Fiona into things she doesn't want to do? She had a fever of 104 degrees. If I'd brought her in any later, it could've been life-threatening. Do you get that?"

Jackson's voice was sharp as he shook off Nash's mom's hand, clearly done with the conversation.

"It's all my fault, all of it. I had no idea things would get this bad. If I'd known, I never would've done it. I'm really sorry."

"What if something happens to Fiona? I should've just let her go home, and none of this would've happened."noveldrama

Nash's mom kept apologizing, pacing back and forth, clearly lost and distraught.

"Enough, stop making a mess of things," Jackson said, frowning but holding back harsher words.

Realizing her mistake, Nash's mom glanced at Jackson, then sat down quietly, praying under her breath while calling specialists.

...

By the afternoon, Fiona's fever had broken, but she was still weak. Her lips were pale, and she lay in the hospital bed like a wilted flower, giving Jackson a tired look.

"Brother."

That word hit Jackson right in the heart, and he quickly took Fiona's hand in his. "I'm here."

"Fiona, it's all my fault. Your aunt is to blame for putting you through this."

"It's okay, Aunt. It wasn't your fault. No one could've guessed there'd be such a storm last night."

Jackson gently spooned chicken soup from the bowl, feeding it to her carefully. To him, Fiona seemed as fragile as a porcelain doll, easily breakable.

Nash's mom had also sent Nash with chicken soup for Fiona, but he showed up ten minutes late, by which time Jackson had already finished feeding her. Nash arrived, looking a bit annoyed.

"How did things get so messed up?" Nash asked, slightly impatient. He already knew his mom had insisted Fiona stay over, causing this whole mess. He tugged at his mom's hand. "Can you please stop pushing people into things?"

His words had a hint of blame, and the hospital room fell silent.

Nash's mom realized that some things couldn't be rushed.

This experience was a tough lesson for her, making her see that matters of the heart were between Jackson and Fiona. Her interference was pointless.

The next day, Fiona was ready to leave the hospital. As she packed her things, she lay on the bed, flipping through TV channels out of boredom. Suddenly, she stumbled upon an entertainment news piece about a design competition.

She usually didn't pay much attention to these things, but the design on the screen caught her eye, leaving her stunned. It was the same design she'd given to Nash's mom at the Woods family estate.

What a coincidence.

No one knew about her design, and Fiona found herself deep in thought, her mind swirling with questions.

Soon, she heard the TV host introduce the designer-a mysterious high school student.