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 her

and change now. And she didn't see

glanced back at Elodie, unable to resist a word of warning. "Wearing

a dress or a career, it's

Elodie didn't understand

and walked

knows how to work this crowd," Alexander scoffed. "She's got everyone so turned around,

head calmly. "It's not

circumstances; the misunderstandings and prejudices about her had never faded. Once, she'd

she just didn't

quietly. Even as a bystander, he found it hard

emotion. She even had the presence of mind to

quieter

when she spotted Queenie, retouching

corner.

was here—if Ivan

and leave,

"I

stood and walked over. "Mr. Sterling, right? Ivan was just saying he wanted to have a

took it in stride, offering no

said, tilting her head and smiling. "Reba said Ivan used to spoil

meeting Queenie's bright,

ask Ivan about that,"

laughed.