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

who never got to be born, she was left with a lingering

clung to her, pulling at her

back on the bed, suddenly feeling powerless

about it,"

her sorrow. But

the matter. She closed her eyes, trying to rest.

and when he saw her exhaustion overtake

squeezed her hand and whispered, almost too softly

are brought on by stress... I won't deny the

I could, I'd trade my life to make it

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

grateful to Jarrod for yesterday as well—he'd

spared them from seeing

She didn't want to frighten her

Rosemary's old family estate. He knew

he didn't intrude. He lingered by

car

Mansion.

still ongoing, but as for Patricia

had a rough idea of what he

family

no avoiding a visit.

the courtyard, he immediately noticed

recognize parked out front.

crossed the drive

and entered

he'd suspected, there

parlor was Patricia,

with Lucinda

his arrival, Patricia turned, arching an eyebrow at

smile. "You're back?"

seated across from Patricia. He

tea, his gaze warm as he handed

reconciling things