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

never got to be born, she

clung to her, pulling at

the bed, suddenly feeling powerless in this

about it,"

her closely, easily sensing her sorrow. But Elodie

eyes, trying to

long moment, and when he saw her exhaustion

and whispered, almost too softly to hear,

on by stress... I won't

If I could, I'd trade

Elodie was feeling better, so she went straight to see

grateful to Jarrod for yesterday as well—he'd reassured

and spared them from seeing her in

want to frighten her

drove Elodie back to Rosemary's old family estate. He knew the two

so he didn't intrude. He lingered by

getting back into his car and heading straight

Mansion.

investigation was still ongoing, but as for Patricia and her

rough idea of

give the family matriarch an update about

no avoiding a visit.

as he stepped into the courtyard,

recognize parked out front.

crossed the drive with

strides and

As he'd suspected,

parlor was

Lucinda

arching an eyebrow at

smile. "You're back?"

was seated across from Patricia.

tea, his gaze warm as he handed

after reconciling