How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

His eyes were cold and indifferent, his tone as flat as ever.

Yet Elodie felt her cheeks burning, her chest tight as if she'd taken a blow.

Jarrod's unhesitating choice had rendered her utterly insignificant in front of Sylvie.

He didn't care whether she'd worn the same dress by accident or on purpose.

Sylvie would always come first for him. He only cared about protecting Sylvie's image, never mind Elodie's embarrassment or discomfort.

"It's just a dress, Mr. Silverstein. This is hardly a big deal," Alexander said, his own expression less than pleasant. He shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over Elodie's shoulders. "Is that better?"

Only then did Elodie lower her gaze, taking a silent moment to steady her breath.

Jarrod glanced at Elodie without emotion. Alexander's jacket covered half the dress now, and Elodie didn't refuse his gentlemanly gesture.

"It's fine, really. It doesn't bother me," Sylvie spoke up first, gracefully turning to the side. "Jarrod, let's go find our seats."

She let the incident go with magnanimous ease.

Jarrod's gaze slid away from Elodie; he simply nodded. "Alright."

The two of them walked off together.

Alexander couldn't help but frown, giving Elodie's back a reassuring pat.

into her palm before shaking

course, she couldn't exactly go and change now. And she didn't see why she should step aside for

a word of warning. "Wearing the same dress doesn't

it's the

didn't understand

and walked

this crowd," Alexander scoffed. "She's got everyone so turned around, they don't know right from

shook her head calmly. "It's not about right or

about her had never faded. Once, she'd tried to

she just

quietly. Even as a bystander, he found it hard to bear.

little emotion. She even had the presence of mind to head

quieter

when she spotted Queenie, retouching her

corner.

was here—if Ivan was invited, she'd

sparkling water and leave, but Queenie spotted her. "Elodie? What are you doing

"I came with my

over. "Mr. Sterling, right? Ivan was just

in stride, offering no

Queenie said, tilting her head and smiling. "Reba said Ivan used to spoil you always sharing

meeting Queenie's bright, inquisitive

Ivan about that," Elodie replied,

laughed.