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.

palm before

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

Maurice was leaving, he glanced back at Elodie, unable to resist a word of warning. "Wearing the same dress doesn't matter, you know. Jarrod will always choose

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

didn't

shrugged and

scoffed. "She's got everyone so turned around, they don't

head calmly. "It's not about right

misunderstandings and prejudices about her had never faded. Once, she'd tried to explain

just didn't care

a bystander, he found it hard

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

was quieter over

when she spotted Queenie, retouching

corner.

Queenie was here—if Ivan was invited, she'd be close

intended just to grab a glass of sparkling water and leave, but Queenie spotted her. "Elodie? What are

stopped politely. "I

just saying he wanted to have a word with

took it in stride, offering

said Ivan used to spoil you always sharing the best food and toys. She even thought you two would end up

paused, meeting Queenie's bright, inquisitive

about that," Elodie replied,

just laughed. "Just