How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

If she'd stayed on her ideal academic path, she would've ended up in aerospace engineering.

Drones had become one of the most significant technological advancements of the era, with uses spanning everything from the military to civilian life and agriculture.

Back then, her professor only agreed to write her a recommendation to the research institute because she'd designed and provided technical guidance for the integrated reconnaissance and combat drone, model U.N. It combined long- range capability, heavy payload, high speed, and automated controls-a breakthrough in the field that had already seen real military deployment.

Inside the industry, her work had set the gold standard.

Yet after her marriage derailed her career, she found herself physically and emotionally battered. Cancer at such a young age cast a shadow over her future -she had no idea how much time she had left.

But that painful journey taught her something:

In the end, you have to put yourself first. Live for yourself.

Even if she couldn't be cured, she wasn't going to let regret define her remaining days.

She wanted...

To return to her field. To dig back into the dreams she'd once nurtured.

Esmeralda knew nothing about engineering herself, but she had deep pockets- and VistaLink Technologies had some of the brightest minds in the business.

Esmeralda provided the funding; the other side brought the expertise. In just a few years, VistaLink Technologies had become a rising star in Eldermere's tech scene, a dark horse with a sterling reputation.

But still-

"You know, when I chose to get married, he cut all contact with me. He runs VistaLink Technologies now. I doubt he'd want me there."

The man who wrote Elodie's recommendation had been his father. Both father and son had believed in her, invested so much hope and effort, convinced she'd go on to achieve something remarkable-maybe even bring pride to their country.

But after she got married, she let them down.

Esmeralda scratched her head. "Alexander acts tough, but he's soft underneath- you know that. Let me set something up for you two to talk it out. Honestly, I think he misses you."

Elodie managed a bitter smile.

schemed to boost his status-if he hadn't set her up and then threatened her into giving up

phone buzzed.

frowned and declined

divorce looming, she had no patience left for

wouldn't give up her calls kept coming, insistent and

the fifth ring, Elodie pressed her lips together

Can't you see it's me

"What do you want?"

ten. You need to go for my brother. If anyone asks, just say you're our housekeeper, got

gone public with Sylvie, and Octavia didn't want anyone

I'm not your sister-in- law anymore.

to understand what manners are supposed

Elodie ended the call.

She felt drained.

always picked up on the attitudes of the

she'd forced Jarrod into net

and for three years, every vacation, Octavia would show up

meals, laundry, finding new ways

would come over just to keep Elodie from

years old-she should

owed her nothing. She didn't

that Elodie was finally standing up for herself, she realized Elodie was truly set on divorce. She hurried back to VistaLink Technologies, ready to

her

five o'clock, the phone

Elodie hesitated before answering.

go to the parent-teacher meeting. The teacher said you never showed, Octavia called in sick, and now no one can find her!" Lucinda's voice

Elodie frowned.

hadn't seen

borderline hostile. If Elodie hadn't "trapped" her son, Lucinda would have made sure Jarrod married

know," Elodie

bailed! Trying to dodge

haven't given us a child in three years you can't even manage the basics of caring for