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

Upon hearing this, Dr. Ray's already grim face darkened even more, his eyes behind the glasses filled with disgust and anger as he barked at Flora, "What's going on?" Though his tone was inquisitive, Dr. Ray was already convinced that Flora was guilty of unprovoked harm. When you hold a grudge against someone, everything they do seems wrong. Flora lazily began to explain, "She ended up like this because..."

"Dr. Ray, you must stand up for me!" Alexa's shrill voice cut Flora off. "I was in the restroom just now when Flora suddenly rushed in. She slammed my head against the sink and tried to wreck my hand on purpose!"

Alexa rolled up her sleeve to reveal her trembling hand, badly bruised and a shocking sight for everyone. For a medical student, hands are their most valuable tool, and Flora had recklessly endangered another's.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Dr. Ray was livid. "Flora, you really have some nerve. Lacking any real skill yourself and instead focusing on harming others! You'll stay in the lab today to reflect and write a ten-thousand-word self-critique! If you don't finish, you're not leaving!"

Flora's expression turned icy. She had wanted to explain, but now she couldn't be bothered. Dr. Ray was so biased against her that anything she said would be useless. She had her pride, too.

Everyone in the lab held their breath, afraid to draw his ire. They didn't like Flora anyway, so they wouldn't speak up for her. With Alexa's visible injuries as damning evidence, it seemed clear Flora was at fault. Only Shawn stepped up to defend Flora. Though he hadn't known her for long, he knew she wasn't someone who would intentionally hurt others. "Dr. Ray, there must be some misunderstanding here. Flora isn't-"

"Are you suggesting Alexa did this to herself? Keep talking, and you can forget about coming here too! One bad apple spoils the whole barrel!" Dr. Ray, now thoroughly disgusted at the sight of Flora, left in a huff, followed quickly by his colleagues.

Shawn glanced at Flora before reluctantly following them. Dr. Ray was too angry for reasoning now; it was better to wait for his anger to subside before speaking up.

"Flora, you see now? Just one word from me, and you're out of the lab," Alexa gloated triumphantly, shooting Flora a provocative glare before quickly making her exit. She dared not get too close to Flora again, fearing a repeat of the earlier confrontation.

Soon, Flora was left alone in the lab. With a frustrated thump, she dropped her bag onto the table, surrounded by a tense aura. After a few seconds, she picked up her bag and left. Write a self-critique? Fat chance. She pulled out her phone to call Connor.

"Connor, come pick me up for dinner."

...

At six in the evening, Dr. Ray returned to the lab with his team. His anger had subsided, but his disdain for Flora lingered. Fortunately, Alexa's injury wasn't severe, or he would have expelled Flora from the lab on the spot!

He expected Flora to still be in the lab, waiting to admit her mistake and accept her punishment, but upon arrival, the lab was silent. Flora was long gone, and the self-critique he demanded was nowhere to be found.

Dr. Ray's simmering anger flared up once again. "Professor, let me call Flora," Shawn offered tentatively. "She might have stepped out for something urgent..."

"Fine, you call her, and while you're at it, tell Flora we no longer have room for her in this lab! I don't want to see her here ever again!"