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 always

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, someone she could call

her family and those she

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

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 don't love you. Do you understand? If you do,

stared at her,

else, but it was as if a part

over,

He was thoroughly drunk.

nothing, simply lowering his eyes

from where it 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

tossed the phone back

glanced at Ivan, who was now utterly defeated. Blood 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

Ivan's face darkened.

at Jarrod, not understanding why he'd

how he'd even appeared at just

dwell on it, the