How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 590

Elodie's emotions were impossible to name.

After so many years, she'd finally received apologies-from those who had hurt her, and from those who'd benefited from her pain. The circumstances were far from ordinary, of course. Without everything that had happened, it would have been almost impossible to hear those words from Sylvie's lips.

But Elodie knew the truth: Sylvie was only apologizing because she was desperate to avoid the consequences. This wasn't remorse-it was self- preservation.

Still, for a woman as proud as Sylvie, this moment would haunt her for the rest of her life. The humiliation and the blow to her pride would linger, far longer than any loss of reputation or fortune. The real punishment was the agony she'd carry inside.

Elodie ignored the flash of stiffness and resentment that twisted Sylvie's face. Instead, she turned to Jarrod, her eyes calm and steady. "She can't leave, Jarrod. She has to answer for what she's done."

The words had barely settled when Sylvie's composure shattered, panic rising in her voice. "Elodie! What more do you want from me?!"

She'd already swallowed her pride, fallen to her knees and begged. Why wouldn't Elodie let her go? Why was she being so cruel?

Elodie had no interest in arguing. Her stance was clear. Without another word, she turned and climbed into the waiting car.

Sylvie's world was collapsing. If she stayed, she was finished-there was no way out. She looked at Jarrod in desperation. "Jarrod, she's fine, isn't she? Didn't you say that if I apologized-"

his gaze cold and distant beneath dark lashes. "If you hadn't tried to pull off one last stunt before leaving, do you really think you'd have had

stared at him

always been composed, a man of restraint and manners. But now, he

understanding all too well. Even if Mr. Silverstein had been prepared, even if Ms. Thorne hadn't been hurt, just the fact that Sylvie had

illusions crumbled. She really did love Jarrod-she'd never felt this way

her eyes on him, desperate to see even a flicker

There was nothing.

detached. "You're the woman my wife

tone was almost gentle, but the words cut

Wife.

Sylvie felt her last hope snuffed

catch her breath, the sound of approaching sirens filled the air, growing louder with

insistence on seeing Jarrod that kept her here. He'd planned for everything. Even if she and Selma hadn't tried to hurt Elodie tonight, he would never have let her escape. If not for Elodie,

very end, Jarrod had been

reserved, would never go to these lengths for anyone else.

voice broke