How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Hearing those words from Jarrod's lips—those three simple words—used to be all

she ever dreamed of.

But now, when they came so suddenly, Elodie, even as she could see the

sincerity in his eyes, still found herself stunned. Jarrod didn't give her time to think

or react. He held her hand, his thumb brushing gently across her skin, and spoke

each word with care, "For the best chance at recovery, your uterus... Let's remove

it, alright?"

He paused, took a breath, and continued, "Let's not get divorced, okay? I'll make

sure you get the very best treatment, I'll find the top specialists in the world for

you. I won't let anything happen to you. Whether or not you can have children in

the future... it doesn't matter to me. I've never cared about whether you could

bring me any 'value' that way. All I want is for you to be healthy. This time, please

—just listen to me, alright?"

He tried to soften his voice, his gaze almost pleading, because he couldn't bear

the risk of any more setbacks or tragedies. The thought of Elodie suffering

through a painful recurrence was unthinkable.

Elodie was quiet for a long while. The truth was, she hadn't made her decision

yet. When it's your own body, hesitation comes naturally. Once, she might have

just felt heartbroken but would have decided quickly: just take it out. But after

born, she was left

to her,

suddenly

think about it,"

closely, easily sensing her

closed her eyes, trying to rest. Jarrod stayed by

moment, and when he saw her exhaustion overtake

hand and whispered, almost

I won't deny the pain I've caused

bit more time. If I could, I'd trade my life to make

the next day, Elodie was feeling better, so she went straight

genuinely grateful to Jarrod for yesterday as

and the others, and spared them from seeing

She didn't want to frighten

Rosemary's old family estate. He knew the two

didn't intrude. He lingered by

car

Mansion.

investigation was still ongoing, but as for Patricia

rough idea of what he needed

family

no avoiding a visit.

courtyard, he

recognize parked out front.

crossed the

and entered

he'd suspected,

parlor was

Lucinda

Patricia turned, arching an eyebrow at him with a

smile. "You're back?"

across from Patricia. He stood up to pour her

his gaze warm as he handed it

after reconciling