How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

When Elodie woke up, she felt weak and lightheaded, her limbs heavy as lead. As she stirred, Freya's voice rang out in relief, "You're awake! Are you feeling okay? Anywhere still hurt?"

Elodie turned her head. "Why are you here...?"

Freya helped her sit up, fussing over her. "My brother and I brought you to the hospital. He's gone to print your test results. We were worried something was wrong, so we had them run every check-"

"What floor is he on?" Elodie's face changed. She threw off the covers and got out of bed.

Freya blinked in surprise. "He's right on this floor."

Ignoring the lingering ache in her body, Elodie hurried out.

She made straight for the self-service printer in the hallway. Sure enough, Joseph was there, waiting as the machine spat out paper.

Elodie rushed over and yanked the report out before he could react, clutching it tightly.

"You're awake?" Joseph looked both surprised and concerned. "What are you doing out of bed?"

still racing, and she pressed her lips into a tight line.

hesitated a moment before handing it over. "Sorry. It was urgent. I

He hadn't noticed anything unusual in the report. Only then did she finally

about her condition, Jarrod would know

family, use

you." Elodie wasn't ungrateful. "How much were the medical bills? I'll transfer it to

lips together. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing. You still look pale, though. The test results are out— shouldn't you talk to

Nothing serious," Elodie replied, her

when you were unconscious, you kept crying

curled up even in her sleep, whispering

much pain had she endured to end up like

She simply said, "Thanks for today. Still, send me the total cost later, please. I want to

the message—she wanted

let me take you

not necessary. I'll

Joseph pressed his lips together,