How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Around noon, Alexander called her.

"The old man put on an act today, asking about the VistaLink Technologies project. Truth is, he's just curious about your direction now that you're back in the game. Here's what you should do: pull together your data and send it his way. He won't be able to resist."

This was the perfect chance to break the ice.

If the professor could see what she was capable of now, maybe he'd finally let go of the grudges he'd been holding.

Still, Elodie was nervous. Years ago, she'd planned to apply for his graduate program—until everything changed. She'd thrown it all away to save Ivan, only to end up sold off to the Silverstein family like some chattel, her future lost in the process.

She didn't hesitate. She compiled every idea she had and sent it all to Charlie's email.

It wasn't until nearly eight that night that Charlie finally called.

She answered with a tight fist, heart pounding.

There was silence on the other end.

After what felt like forever, a gruff voice broke through. "Cat got your tongue? Turned into a church mouse?"

Elodie felt a twinge of guilt and mumbled, "No..."

VistaLink Technologies project proposal. Not bad for your first big move coming back. Still, this field moves fast. If you want to make your mark, you can't afford to coast or just talk a big

hadn't lost those three years, she'd be so

common; true prodigies

had always held high

kept a spot open for her in his graduate

caught up in her marriage

steady breath. "I'll keep

where her life would

her. All she could do was

a

meant he was asking

lips; she couldn't

That Jarrod fellow keeps trying to meet me, always pushing that young man to my attention. Why do

knew Jarrod was her husband; Alexander had already told him as much. So when Jarrod showed up with Sylvie in

had made things painfully obvious. With that kind

she felt

everything for so many reasons-and this was what she'd ended up

not

time, the professor didn't