How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

It was probably connected to Malcom as well.

Without hesitation, she grabbed her phone, blocked the number, and reminded, "Grandma, from now on, don't answer calls from strangers. Things are a little unsettled with the Harcourt family lately. We're staying out of it."

Rosemary didn't know the details, but she always listened to Elodie.

Truth be told, Elodie herself didn't know exactly what was happening with the Harcourts, but if Jarrod had stepped in, it definitely wasn't a minor issue.

Elodie got up, planning to get some fresh air. She'd barely reached the front door when her phone rang-Esmeralda Mercer's name flashed on the screen.

Esmeralda's excitement was impossible to hide. "I just heard the juiciest bit of gossip! It's wild!"

Elodie glanced up at the crisp autumn sky, adjusting her collar against the chill. "What happened?"

“Patricia's in huge trouble. I have so many friends, you know, and I just heard she's been forced into rehab. Forced, Elodie! And rumor has it, she'll be in there for a long time. Isn't that insane? Wasn't she supposed to be the golden girl, the darling of the big shots? And look at her now-who'd have thought she'd end up like this?"

Esmeralda sounded positively giddy.

Back at Henrietta's birthday party, Patricia had tried to turn the tables and smear Elodie's name in public, even though she was the one causing trouble. Now, it seemed justice had finally caught up with her.

a hand in this. Getting someone like Patricia to fall so hard was

it felt like justice for her

hadn't contacted her about

Patricia's status, Elodie knew it was almost impossible

sent away-and a forced rehab facility was a fate far worse than

get what she

had it

way, Alex mentioned you haven't been

question seemed to catch Esmeralda off guard. She hesitated, her voice suddenly small. "My uh...

recalled now why Fleming had looked so familiar when she'd seen him at the base the

ago-Esmeralda's childhood fiancé, arranged by

circling each other for years, never quite settling. "So... are you two actually

a moment, her voice dull. "I don't know. He hasn't

relationship was more complicated than

I'm desperate to get married. You just focus on getting

avoid the topic, Esmeralda