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.

up and then threatened her into giving up everything she loved her life

buzzed.

and declined the

looming, she had no patience left for Octavia's

Octavia wouldn't give up her calls

pressed her lips together and

Can't you see

"What do you want?"

meeting at ten. You need to go for my brother. If anyone asks, just say

Sylvie, and Octavia didn't want anyone getting the wrong idea

and measured. "I'm not your mother. I'm not your sister-in- law

understand what

Elodie ended the call.

She felt drained.

her. Kids always picked up on the attitudes of the adults

she'd forced Jarrod

vacation, Octavia

finding new ways to cause

started heating up between Jarrod and Sylvie, Octavia would come over just to keep Elodie from interfering in their budding

should know

owed her nothing. She didn't need

she realized Elodie was truly set on divorce. She hurried back to VistaLink Technologies, ready to talk Alexander Sterling into meeting with

waited for her IV drip

o'clock, the phone rang again—this

Elodie hesitated before answering.

The teacher said you never showed, Octavia called in sick, and now

Elodie frowned.

hadn't seen

been satisfied with her-in fact, she'd always been borderline hostile. If Elodie hadn't "trapped" her son, Lucinda would have made sure Jarrod married someone from the

know," Elodie

who bailed! Trying to

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