How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Esmeralda Mercer's words landed like a thunderclap, shattering the tension that had only just begun to settle in the room.

Jarrod Silverstein spun around, his dark eyes locking onto Elodie Thorne's pale, drawn face. For a split second, he wondered if he'd misheard her.

A stunned silence followed, everyone reeling from the sudden revelation.

Rosemary and Emile jumped to their feet, panic etched across their faces. "What are you saying? What's wrong with Elodie?" Rosemary demanded, her voice trembling.

Esmeralda's eyes brimmed with tears as she glared fiercely at the Silverstein family and then shot a cold look at Patricia Aldridge, who stood nearby with a frown.

"Elodie hasn't wronged anyone! The Silversteins shouldn't act like they're her saviors, as if marrying her was some great sacrifice. If it weren't for you, maybe she wouldn't be in this state at all..."

"Esme, enough!" Alexander Sterling, quick to react, strode over and wrapped an arm firmly around Esmeralda's waist, all but dragging her away from the fray.

Esmeralda was practically shaking with anger-especially after Lucinda Howard's cutting interrogation moments before. She wanted nothing more than to shout in Lucinda's face, to call her cold and cruel for what she'd said.

Alexander kept his voice low, meant only for Esmeralda and Elodie. "This isn't the place for this, Esme. Not in front of everyone. These are Elodie's private matters -no need to rip open old wounds."

His words cut through her fury, and Esmeralda's composure returned in an instant. She darted a worried glance at Elodie.

a dozen questioning eyes. That familiar wave of dread-like she

a shaky breath. Pain flickered deep in her chest, her face going ashen,

pressed into a hard line as he strode over to her. His hand trembled at his side, and his gaze bore into her.

tension in the room became

at her grandmother and uncle. Her voice

celebration. She wouldn't let her own problems ruin it for everyone-not

it.

already trembling. "No, Elodie. None

to me-how can I relax if you don't tell me

grew uneven, panic

said, keeping his composure as he gently supported the elderly

lady took a steadying breath, her voice decisive.

to the lounge and sit for

wasn't due to begin until noon. And besides, Patricia's accusation about “getting

what came next.

Silverstein family's child-thele

701

was