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."

seem bothered. "Let's go grab our seats in the auction

the second

Elodie glanced up.

were settling into the prime seats at

always a pecking

from where

Sylvie were the first people

close,

smile faintly, his eyes warm and attentive as he looked at Sylvie so gentle, so focused, it was almost

as she looked

noticed it all and gritted her teeth. "Is this their little love show? Should we just wheel a bed out for

just gave Esmeralda's hand a gentle squeeze, a silent

nothing extra-no jealousy,

was a grand 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

was a cause

have come mainly to find someone, 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

items rolled out,

she watched as Jarrod handed his bidding

Sylvie to call the shots tonight-he'd buy whatever she

accepted the paddle with a bright smile and didn't hold back, raising it again