How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Meanwhile-

Ivan had just stepped out of the mansion when his phone buzzed with a new message.

Of course, he had Malcom's number saved.

[If you're going to betray me, don't blame me for being ruthless. That daughter is of no use to me anymore, so if you're both going to force my hand, I might as well make her worth something. You care about her, don't you? She's still my bargaining chip! If you want me dead, then I'll take her down with me! Ivan, you've pushed me to the edge! So don't expect anyone to walk away unscathed-either agree to all my demands, or I'll disappear with her.]

Ivan crushed his cigarette between his fingers, not even registering the burn.

Malcom, that bastard.

He was threatening him with Elodie.

Something must have gone wrong.

But Malcom wasn't giving any hint to where he was.

Ivan's face darkened, jaw clenched. He spun on his heel and sprinted for the garage.

Queenie Jett happened to be stepping inside with her spare keycard just as Ivan was rushing out.

There was only one person in the world who could put that kind of panic on Ivan's face.

She'd come tonight to try to patch things up, but now, seeing him so desperate to leave, she panicked too. She rushed over and wrapped her arms around him.

"Ivan, I can explain everything that happened before. Please, just hear me out, okay? After everything we've been through, I'll do whatever you want-just give me a chance, please?"

Tears streaked down her face as she reached up, trying to kiss him.

Ivan shoved her off, his expression cold and implacable. "Move."

If you go to her, I'll kill myself right in

ice, every word a blade: "Suit yourself. Don't expect me to

and he was gone-tires squealing into

collapsed on the

underhanded means just for a chance to get close to

because she loved him so

years, tried everything

And still, she lost.

years, she couldn't compete with the place

was a fog of pain and

she realized she was dangling

coarse rope was cinched tight around her waist, biting into her

She glanced down.

broke out all over her

no railing; the rope above her head was knotted around

the night wind picked up, her body swayed, the rope creaking. At any moment, she

her chest, icy and

twisted around, heart

face

either, but Ivan and Jarrod left me no

never have realized Jarrod was the

Harcourt Group gone, his safety net vanished. Ivan would see to

way out, then

forehead as she tried to keep Malcom from snapping. "Tell me what you want. We can talk about this-you don't have to do something you

family wouldn't be in ruins! But I suppose I should thank you-you're the only reason I still have

had always known

did she truly see it: even her own father

the screech of brakes

shot through Elodie's head as she looked down-dust billowed as a familiar Rolls-Royce