How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 158

Ivan immediately let go and smiled. "Why didn't you tell me in advance? I could've come to pick you up."

Queenie finally broke into a grin, walked over, and wrapped her arms around his waist, nestling against his chest. Her voice was soft and teasing. "I didn't want you to wear yourself out. You kept me up half the night, remember?"

Elodie lowered her gaze, her expression unreadable.

The possessive undertone in Queenie's words didn't stir any emotion in her- none at all. She was just an onlooker in this story.

Queenie, however, turned her attention to Elodie and smiled. "Can you stay a bit longer tonight? We're having a feast, and we need you here."

Elodie met her gaze, her voice even. "What's on the menu?"

Queenie winked mischievously. "You'll see soon enough."

She left it at that, then playfully tugged Ivan toward the other side of the room. "My dad just arrived. Come say hi."

Ivan slipped an arm around her waist and didn't refuse. As he walked away, though, he shot Elodie a glance-its meaning impossible to decipher.

Elodie didn't dwell on it.

When Esmeralda returned, she shook her head. "No luck. This Fergus is a real mystery."

the room but didn't seem bothered. "Let's

table was in the second row. As for the

Elodie glanced up.

expected, Jarrod and Sylvie were settling into the prime seats at the center of the first

was always a pecking order at events

Still, from where she sat, every time she looked

stage, Jarrod and Sylvie were

leaning in close, whispering something to Jarrod, who

his eyes warm and attentive as he looked at Sylvie so gentle, so

as she looked past

noticed it all and gritted her teeth. "Is this their little love

a gentle squeeze, a silent gesture of

herself felt nothing extra-no jealousy,

affair, nearly two hundred high-profile guests in attendance. Every item up for auction had been donated by celebrities or major organizations, and all proceeds would go to help children in remote areas or provide

a cause

but she planned to do her part for charity, too. If something caught her eye, she'd bid-just a small gesture for the greater

auction items rolled out, one

seat, she watched as Jarrod handed his bidding paddle

call the shots tonight-he'd buy whatever she fancied,

a bright smile and didn't hold back,