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.

her fingers into her palm before

now. And she didn't see why she

Elodie, unable to resist a word of warning. "Wearing the same dress doesn't matter, you know. Jarrod

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

Elodie didn't understand

and walked

really knows how to work this crowd," Alexander scoffed. "She's got everyone so turned around, they don't know right from wrong

calmly. "It's not about right or

prejudices about her had never faded. Once, she'd

just didn't

found it hard to

presence of mind to head for the refreshment table to recharge with a

quieter

she spotted Queenie, retouching her makeup in

corner.

here—if Ivan

and leave, but Queenie

stopped politely. "I

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

in stride, offering no

kids," Queenie said, tilting her head and smiling. "Reba said Ivan used to spoil you always sharing the best food and toys. She even thought you two would

paused, meeting Queenie's

ask Ivan about that,"

laughed. "Just