How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 623

Luckily, Jarrod was quick. He threw a punch and smashed the bottle in Ivan's hand before it could hit anyone.

Elodie saw blood welling at Jarrod's knuckles.

The two men crashed into each other, grappling violently.

The alcohol seemed to drain from Ivan's system in an instant. Eyes bloodshot, he fixed Jarrod with a wild stare, his lips split in a twisted grin. "Jarrod, let me be honest with you. Elodie's always had a place for me in her heart. You could have any woman you want-why break us apart? Do us both a favor, let her go. Let us be together. Can't you do that?"

With those words, Jarrod who had been all cold fury-froze for a split second.

That was all the opening Ivan needed.

A sudden, animalistic rage overtook Ivan. He tossed the broken bottleneck aside, grabbed Jarrod by the collar, and slammed him hard against the door.

Bang!

The heavy thud echoed through the room.

Elodie watched it all, a pressure building in her chest until her throat ached. "Enough, Ivan!" she shouted.

lost her temper easily. Even in the worst situations, she'd always tried to stay calm and

now, all those good things felt

loyal to her

had long since faded. And now, even the last fragile thread of familial affection, woven over

shred of what you think I do. I was grateful to you once, and yes, I depended on you, but that's all it ever was-dependence, not love. I don't love you. Do you

stared at

was the alcohol, or maybe it was something else, but it was as if a

slumped over, gasping for

He was thoroughly drunk.

nothing, simply lowering his eyes as

had fallen at her feet. He never bothered with a lock screen, so it was easy to open. She scrolled through his contacts until she found Queenie Jett's number, then dialed. When Queenie answered Elodie gave a

tossed the phone back

dripped from Jarrod's hand, but he didn't seem to notice. His lips curled into a faint, sardonic smile. "Mr. Harcourt, who told you we

Ivan's face darkened.

why he'd suddenly said

appeared at just the

she could dwell on it,