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."

her, I'll kill myself right in front of you!" Queenie was shaking, frantic and out

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

he

the floor, limp

use underhanded means just for a

it was only because

years,

And still, she lost.

she couldn't compete with the place Elodie

fog

open her eyes, she realized she was dangling from the edge of

cinched tight around her waist, biting into her

She glanced down.

sweat broke out

skeletal stairwell had no railing; the rope above her head

her body swayed, the

gripped her chest,

twisted around, heart

face loomed behind

your father like that. I didn't want this either, but Ivan and Jarrod left me no choice," he said, voice low and venomous. The kindly father

was the one who orchestrated the

gone, his safety net vanished. Ivan

then Elodie

me what you want. We can talk about this-you don't have

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

known Malcom was

only now did she truly see it: even her own father could be

brakes

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