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.

had gathered outside the

That's President Silverstein from The Silverstein Group. He threw this whole fireworks

top companies are fighting to hire

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

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

and walked

Later that night.

home to find Elodie sitting alone

lights, frowning.

over his arm, and his dark eyes- cold and unreadable

indifference was just his

arms

more than a whisper.

couch, barely interested. "What did

He'd promised to go with her, but there was always some billion-dollar deal or urgent crisis at work to

yesterday, he'd told her he'd come along. But then he

office in a rush

hadn't spared a thought for

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

for a moment,

his arms, his breath hot against her neck, voice low and