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.

was not someone who lost her temper easily. Even in the worst situations, she'd

She was grateful for the kindness Ivan had once shown her, for the memories they'd shared but now, all those good things felt like knives twisting in her gut. She'd always thought Ivan was like her mother, her grandmother, her uncle-someone she could rely on,

her family and

childhood attachment had long since faded. And now, even the last fragile thread of familial affection, woven over more than ten years, had

said icily, staring at him. "I don't feel a 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

stared at

but it was as if a part of him

over,

He was thoroughly drunk.

said nothing, simply lowering his eyes

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

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.

at Jarrod, not understanding why

he'd even appeared at

it, the elevator doors