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 gathered

President Silverstein from The Silverstein Group. He threw this whole

hire her. She's smart, gorgeous, comes from a powerful family, and her boyfriend is not

Silverstein is so crazy about her. Who wouldn't be proud

in her hand until finally, the thin paper slipped from her fingers

turned and walked

Later that night.

came home to find Elodie sitting alone in the

on the lights, frowning. "Why aren't

arm, and his dark

indifference was just his

her arms could

more than

the couch, barely interested. "What did

of stomach pain for weeks. He'd promised to go with her, but

But then he found out Sylvie

rush just in time to arrange the

hadn't spared a thought

see," Elodie said softly, lowering her eyes. "Why are you home

hesitated for a moment, then

pulled Elodie into his arms, his breath hot against her neck, voice