How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

"I'm sorry, Miss Elodie Thorne. You missed the optimal window for surgery..."

Elodie stood frozen for a long time, clutching the diagnosis confirming her uterine cancer, before she finally dialed Jarrod Silverstein's secretary, Keith.

The line rang endlessly before he picked up, his tone as flippant as ever. "Yes, Mrs. Silverstein? Can I help you?"

Elodie's fingers curled, stiff and cold. "Is Jarrod there? I need to speak with him."

"Mr. Silverstein is unavailable at the moment," Keith replied.

"Please, could you put him on—"

She didn't even finish before another voice floated through the receiver-a woman's voice, gentle and sweet. "Jarrod," she teased, "what's this surprise? Why all the secrecy?"

"Look up," came Jarrod's deep, familiar voice-so gentle, yet never for her.

A second later, Keith cut the call without hesitation.

At that very moment-

Boom-

An explosion thundered from across the harbor. Elodie looked up, her face drained of color.

Brilliant fireworks burst over the distant waterfront, streaks of color twisting together in the midnight blue sky-beautiful, like something out of a fairy tale.

crowd had

President Silverstein from The Silverstein Group. He threw this

know! PhD from Pinecrest Institute of Technology, all the top companies are fighting to hire her. She's

crazy about her. Who wouldn't be proud to have a girlfriend like

lavish display for a long time, the test results crumpling in her hand until finally, the

and walked

Later that night.

sitting alone in the darkened

on the lights, frowning. "Why aren't you

jacket was slung over his arm, and his dark eyes- cold and unreadable as

used to think his indifference was just his nature, but

who was ice in her arms could burn like fire

was barely more than

tossed his coat onto the couch, barely interested.

had been complaining of stomach pain for weeks. He'd promised to go with her, but there was always some billion-dollar deal or

her he'd come along. But then he found out Sylvie had hidden her birthday from

office in a rush just in time to

hadn't spared a

said just wait and see," Elodie said softly, lowering her eyes. "Why

for a moment,

arms, his breath hot against her neck, voice