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

"Doesn't matter? How can you say that?" The woman huffed, her hand twitching as if she might hit something.

But she caught herself, realizing now wasn't the time to lash out. She glanced over at Keaton, then at Fiona, and begrudgingly lowered her hand, easing her tone a bit.

"Tyler, like it or not, we're family. We're doing this for you, honestly. Wouldn't it be nice to come with us and find out about your real parents? Aren't you curious?"

She tried to play the logic-and-heart card, but Tyler wasn't one to be easily swayed.

He was well aware that these two called themselves his aunt and uncle, and he knew just how tough life was for him at the orphanage, yet they never considered bringing him back. Until now, that is.

Funny how a newspaper article could change everything, turning him into a potential goldmine in their eyes.

Without the promise of money, they probably wouldn't have bothered finding him, let alone taking three days off work to do it.

"I don't care," Tyler said flatly.

The couple was stunned by Tyler's defiance, their faces a mix of shock and anger.

"You're really an ungrateful brat!" The man, seething, lunged to grab Tyler, determined to drag him away.

If sweet talk didn't work, he'd try brute force-after all, he was Tyler's uncle, right?

Keaton jumped in to protect Tyler, with the woman grabbing onto Keaton, and everything quickly descended into chaos. Fiona stood her ground, holding onto Tyler's hand firmly, showing no signs of letting go.

The man sensed something was off and angrily shoved Fiona. "What are you doing? Holding onto my nephew at your age?"

His tone was dripping with scorn, but the woman quickly nudged him. She'd noticed Fiona's designer clothes, the kind only the factory manager's daughter wore. If Tyler was close to Fiona, they'd have money worries no more.

"Don't listen to him!" the woman said, forcing a smile as she approached Fiona. "Sweetheart, pay him no mind. He's just got a nasty mouth."

"We're not friends," Fiona snapped back, shaking off the woman's touch. She grabbed a tissue from the table, wiping her hand with a grimace, and turned to Tyler. "I'm starving. Let's go grab some food."

"Sure," Tyler agreed with a nod.

"Mr. Keaton, we're heading out," Fiona said.

As they started to leave, the woman grabbed Fiona's wrist. Fiona was just a student, yet she had the nerve to stand up to her. It was unbelievable.

Such disrespect!noveldrama

"Tyler is our family. If you want to take him, fine, but it'll cost you ten thousand dollars, and then we'll drop it."

Ten thousand dollars!

The nerve of it all.

Fiona chuckled, while Tyler was fuming, glaring daggers at them.

"I've told you, my life is none of your business!"

Tyler pulled away, ready to leave, but Fiona stood her ground.

"Tyler, you've grown up in an orphanage. If they claim they're your relatives, maybe going with them isn't entirely off the table," Fiona said, Jetting go of Tyler's hand.

Hearing this, the couple lit up, showering Fiona with over-the-top praise.

"Now, there's a smart girl, someone who gets it," they said, grinning like they'd won the lottery.