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.

curled her fingers into her palm before shaking her head, voice soft.

change now. And she didn't see why she should step

Elodie, unable to resist a word of warning. "Wearing the same

or a career, it's the person that matters-not

Elodie didn't understand

shrugged and walked

got everyone so turned around, they

not

circumstances; the misunderstandings and prejudices about

she just didn't care

quietly. Even as a bystander, he found

had the presence of mind to head for the refreshment table to

quieter over

she spotted Queenie, retouching

corner.

here—if Ivan was invited,

a glass of sparkling water and leave,

"I came with my

"Mr. Sterling, right? Ivan was just saying he wanted to

it in stride, offering no further

"Reba said Ivan used to

meeting Queenie's

Ivan about that," Elodie

just laughed. "Just