How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

He'd hurt Elodie for so long.

Maybe it was time he felt a little pain himself, right in his own heart.

But Elodie never thought that way.

What Esmeralda suggested was nothing more than revenge.

How long do the tangled stories of the lovelorn ever truly end?

Even though Esmeralda talked tough, what she really felt was worry-she just hated to see Elodie facing more trouble.

If Jarrod was struggling over all this, how much worse must it be for Elodie?

"I don't think he'll stick around much longer," Esmeralda said, trying to sound breezy. "Guys like that-those golden boys-they only latch on when they've lost someone who really mattered. Let him sulk. He'll give up on his own." She was determined to shield Elodie from any more hurt.

Elodie understood, and just offered a faint, grateful smile.

As for Alexander... neither of them had figured out how to explain things to him. They'd have to wait for the right moment.

Esmeralda ended up staying with Elodie for a whole week, refusing to leave her side. The once carefree party girl suddenly grew up overnight, learning how to take care of Elodie's day-to-day needs—and, not so subtly, making sure Jarrod didn't get anywhere near her.

Elodie simply let her be.

Monday morning, Elodie headed over to Hangar 719 at the airfield.

had a test flight

site, she rounded a corner and spotted Watts on his phone nearby. His voice was tense: "Yeah, I know. The Eldrion Global board has it out for me. They're obsessed with the Duskendale contract, and they're just waiting for a chance to pin the blame on me. This

slowed her steps,

continued. "That deal isn't the end of the world. I'll win them something bigger. People need to broaden their

linger to hear the rest. She

minutes later, Watts showed up too. He gave Elodie

some data before glancing up. "I'm

let out a slow breath.

at the company have been

haven't

you.

"You don't have anything to apologize for.

over all

looked at her,

vel

that. r our relationship is,

you were in danger. It was

didn't know how to respond. She knew, deep down,

that wasn't

out. A technician

loaded with a set of aircraft wings straight toward them. Watts was standing right in its path. Reacting instantly, Elodie grabbed

barely registered what happened; his shoulder

looked

in concern, her delicate features serious as she watched the cart