How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 165

Elodie hadn't expected this.

Of all the things that could have happened tonight, the biggest surprise at the gala turned out to be Ivan and Queenie announcing their engagement.

No wonder Queenie had asked her to stay until the end. Maybe she saw Elodie as part of Ivan's family-almost a sister-and wanted her there to offer her blessing.

Ivan stood at the front of the ballroom, looking out over the crowd with that effortless command he always carried. Even in the shifting play of lights, his gaze found Elodie, tucked away in the shadows of the second row.

She was surprised, he could tell. For a split second, her cool, beautiful features betrayed a flash of shock. But it was gone almost immediately, her expression smoothing back into calm indifference.

Ivan kept his eyes on her, something dark and turbulent in his stare.

Elodie looked back, her face unreadable, refusing to give him any reaction at all.

Finally, Ivan broke into a careless, rakish grin and pulled Queenie close. "Hosting this charity gala tonight is our way of sharing our good fortune. Once the engagement party is set, we hope you'll all join us."

Queenie blushed, practically melting against Ivan.

But Ivan's attention lingered on Elodie.

to see something on her face-shock, hurt, even

was just...

the movement so subtle no one

wasn't supposed to

let go of many things, but when it came to him, he was the one

He was sure

really have

ask for a better son-in-law than Mr. Harcourt!" Queenie's father beamed, accepting every congratulation

finally looked away from Elodie, squeezing Queenie's waist with a lazy smile. "Thank you, everyone. And don't forget-you're all

Elodie lowered her gaze.

the midst of

as if the whole world was celebrating someone

any sign of distress. When she found none, she let out a relieved breath. "Honestly, men

years-long enough to be

prison all those years ago, maybe

you ever tell Ivan you took that knife for him?" Esmeralda glanced at Elodie's abdomen, remembering how she'd looked in that hospital bed. "He's been pushing you around ever since he got out, but that life

squeezed her hand, stopping

more.