How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Calmly, she said, "I lost it."

Only then did Ivan really look at her. Noticing she showed no real emotion, he finally spoke. "If it's lost, it's lost. I'll just buy you another one."

Elodie froze for a second. "That's not necessary. I don't need it."

Pretending it didn't sting her pride was a lie. Since when had Ivan learned to humiliate her like this?

He was never short of money for jewelry, but he'd still given her a free promotional trinket as if she wouldn't notice.

Ivan narrowed his eyes. The only reason he'd bothered with the diamond necklace in the first place was to smooth things over after he'd let her down a few days back. He figured a little sweet talk and a gift would settle it.

But Elodie's stubborn refusal was starting to grate on his nerves.

"When did you become so careless?" he challenged. "Anything I've ever given you, you always took good care of. Elodie, if you want something else, just say so. There's no need for this little act."

He didn't believe for a second that Elodie had really lost it.

She'd always cherished his gifts-no matter how cheap or ordinary, she'd never once turned up her nose at them.

Elodie couldn't refute him. In fact, his words jabbed at her like a thorn, piercing through the illusion of happy memories to the painful truth underneath.

She had treasured their relationship-whether it was the bond they'd shared growing up, or the innocent affection she'd once felt.

him to treat her as if she were beneath him.

The elevator chimed.

change, Ivan. No

was concerned, she'd

he wasn't even worthy

Ivan's expression darkened.

her wrist. "Change? Even now, with the way Jarrod treats you, you still can't leave him. When did you get so willing to swallow your pride? If you weren't just

stared at him, stunned, meeting his

was about to pull away when she noticed

group, her frown deepening. Did

closer, Elodie wrenched free and slipped

The doors closed.

Ivan frowned, distracted.

later, someone

Sylvie and

retreating figure entering the elevator. She didn't seem to

for the moment. "She wanted to sleep

his attention to Jarrod. "I heard you and Mr. Sterling had

get in with him. VistaLink Technologies was rumored to have something big in the

by his near run-in with Elodie, replied with a shrug, "We just had

about to launch a major project. Mr. Silverstein, you must be making preparations