How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 132

Elodie walked to the entrance and sat on the stone steps for a moment to catch her breath.

The specialist the doctor mentioned had no set return date. Besides, if this expert was as renowned as they claimed, getting an appointment wouldn't be easy.

If only she had some way to contact him directly—maybe she could buy her uncle some precious time.

"Ms. Thorne?"

Elodie looked up.

Joseph was approaching, studying her with a concerned gaze. He noticed how pale she still looked and was reminded of the last time he'd rushed her to the hospital.

"Are you feeling unwell again?" he asked, lips pressed in a tight line.

Elodie drifted for a second, then shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

Her answer was a little curt, so she tried to soften it, asking politely, "You're here for...?"

Joseph lifted the pharmacy bag in his hand. "Freya's asthma medication. I come by to pick it up regularly."

Elodie nodded in understanding. Freya had struggled with asthma for years—her health had never been strong. Joseph, though, was a devoted brother, always looking out for her.

She and Joseph had never been close. Their past interactions were anything but friendly, leaving them with little to talk about now.

An awkward silence settled between them.

Joseph noticed it too and chose to break it. "So, what brings you to the hospital today?"

"I spoke with my uncle's doctor about treatment options," Elodie replied politely.

sitting there, she seemed weighed down by worries. After a moment's hesitation,

glanced at him, eyes flickering with skepticism. Given Joseph's previous indifference

nothing. I'm just trying to find a

"What's his diagnosis?"

"A malignant tumor."

eyes, visibly unsettled. With everything going

looked uncertain, searching for

look and said, "I know a leading doctor in that field. If you'd like,

stared at him, genuinely taken

her eyes, as if she didn't

He pressed his lips together, pulled out his phone, and tapped

friend of mine," Joseph explained. "He's been working abroad for years and is highly respected. Even if he can't treat your uncle himself, he has

silent, still processing the unexpected

phone-a

me?" she asked before

go out of his way to avoid her. He wasn't as openly

to catch

a pause, he simply said, "Just lending a

her a lifeline. Joseph came from one of the most powerful families

exhaled and, for the first time, spoke

replied. He sensed her continued reserve and didn't take

knew he'd never treated her well

I can give you a ride," he offered,

have to

probably heading back to

Her car was still in the shop-Esmeralda had taken it in for servicing

Joseph had just helped her, refusing his offer