How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

When Elodie spotted Joseph standing a short distance away, she didn't show any emotion. She simply nodded politely, maintaining only the bare minimum of

courtesy.

Anything beyond that, she absolutely refused to offer.

Joseph could sense her coldness.

By now, he knew better than to mistake Elodie's indifference for some kind of hard-to-get act. In the past, he might have thought she was just trying out a new strategy to win over Jarrod's friends. But those days were long gone, and he wasn't that naive anymore.

Elodie truly didn't care about getting close to him.

That realization made Joseph frown, a tangle of unspoken feelings stirring inside him.

"Hey, big brother!" Freya's face was still lit up with excitement from her

conversation with Elodie, her voice bubbling as she turned to Joseph. "Why are you here so early to find me?"

Joseph glanced at Elodie before he answered. "Do you even realize your own condition? Did you bring your inhaler?"

Freya's cheeks puffed out guiltily. "Ugh, you're such a nag.....'

Elodie stood up. "I'll head back to my room now."

Joseph nodded. "Alright."

offered Freya a gentle smile

her go, reluctant

snapped out of it, she realized her brother was staring

a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Don't tell me you've fallen for

and rapped her lightly on the head, dodging the question. "You've been pestering that woman

likes me, okay? You just don't get it—she might seem aloof, but

sparkled. "Elodie's amazing! Do you know what she does for work? Is it something with

silent for a

with Freya? He'd assumed she'd avoid his sister just

But...

Sylvie brought

about Sylvie-enough to become

business. She's probably just picked up some basics from being

his

two, and Elodie was sharp enough to keep up. At the very least, it

Freya seemed thoughtful, unconvinced.

Elodie was genuinely talented, not just putting

in her room, Elodie worked for

she needed

back, night had already fallen. Esmeralda flopped onto the couch and

and now she's paying for it. Always