How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie hurried into a small, exclusive bistro, the kind where every dish had to be reserved in advance.

The moment she stepped inside, she was greeted by the sight of Esmeralda, her face flushed with anger, and across from her, Reba, her hair a wild, tangled mess.

"What happened?" Elodie's expression cooled instantly as she rushed over to check Esmeralda for injuries. She noticed angry red marks scratched across Esmeralda's neck.

Reba was the first to speak, her tone sharp and scornful. "Birds of a feather, aren't you? You're just as unreasonable and vulgar as she is!"

Esmeralda stood up, her voice trembling with fury. "You think you're in the right?"

She gritted her teeth. "If I hadn't chosen this place for lunch, I never would have found out-your father actually brought his illegitimate daughter here to meet Jarrod! What, hoping Jarrod would trade in his sister-in-law for a mistress?"

She spat the words out with contempt. "Disgusting! Absolutely shameless!"

She'd arrived just in time to overhear the conversation from the private dining room. Malcom was introducing his secret daughter to Jarrod, suggesting Reba should 'learn from Jarrod.' Learn what, exactly? How to please a man?

Reba knew Esmeralda could be viciously blunt, and being called out like this left her red-faced with anger. She strode forward, snapping, "Why do you have to be so nasty?"

Elodie stepped in, pulling Esmeralda protectively behind her. She couldn't believe Malcom could be so callous-her own father, instead of showing care, had become the knife in her back. Jarrod might not love her, but did her father have to push her into humiliation?

a slow, steadying

eyes like ice, she stared at Reba. "No matter what

my face around here! Married to Mr. Silverstein, doing

want you in his bed, you're a complete

a cold stare. "So you think

faltered. "Oh? Did I hit a

Should I help you make a public announcement? That, in this day and age, you're all for

a short,

doing this for your own good!"

room, disappointment written all over his face as he

had she become so sharp, so confrontational? Where was the dignity she was

Elodie met his gaze.

apart from the fray, looking like a disinterested observer. When his eyes met hers,

when Malcom insisted on joining them. One

family-never a dull

instead turning her sarcasm on Malcom. "So you do know shame after all. I thought