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

He threw this whole fireworks show for

Fielding, you know! PhD from Pinecrest Institute of Technology, all the top companies are fighting to hire

wonder Mr. Silverstein is so crazy about her. Who wouldn't be proud to have a

the lavish display for a long time, the test results crumpling in her hand until finally, the thin paper slipped from her fingers

turned and walked

Later that night.

to find Elodie sitting alone

frowning. "Why

was slung over his arm, and his dark eyes- cold and unreadable as ever-rested on

was just his nature,

ice in her arms could

was barely more than a whisper. "I went to the

coat onto the couch,

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

along. But then he found out Sylvie had

left the office in a rush just in time

spared a

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

for a moment, then moved

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