How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Jarrod's eyelashes trembled.

It was like a blade spinning in his mind, slicing through his confusion, jolting him awake.

He saw it now-it had been his own rushed, stubborn misinterpretation that made Elodie fall silent back then, not any resentment over his blame. The truth was, he never deserved her honesty.

"Elias told me," he said, lips barely moving. The words tasted bitter, self-mocking, the ache in his chest impossible to ignore.

Elodie didn't look surprised. "Good. Then you probably understand by now."

She knew there were some things she didn't need to say-Jarrod would handle them himself. After all, the child wasn't just hers.

Still, she hadn't expected that when all was said and done, it would feel this easy

to let go.

As for her illness...

"Come overseas with me for treatment. Please?" Jarrod's focus narrowed to just her illness now.

prognosis and risk. It was

a healthy, safe future. He hadn't earned her forgiveness yet, hadn't given her the life she deserved. There

she could see the anguish and regret in his eyes, so raw it made

We've already discussed my treatment plan. He's an oncologist-just as good as

to stop the conservative treatments, to just let go, to have the hysterectomy. But the words caught in his throat. He understood how hard it was for any woman to make that decision. Telling her that he didn't care about having children wouldn't

cared

"Cancer?" he echoed.

"What cancer?"

the door

having heard everything. He looked like he didn't want

had

to overhear something

at Elodie. "What's that supposed to mean? What are you hiding from

face didn't flicker. "You have no right to question me. Instead of sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, maybe you should go home and keep an eye on your wife. Stop spreading other people's business

had told her. And now, Elodie couldn't look at Queenie's issues

with emotion. Elodie's injury, the trouble with

only on the shocking news that Elodie's name and cancer could be mentioned in the same