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."

kill myself right in front of you!"

ice, every word

roared to life, and he was gone-tires squealing

on the floor, limp

to use underhanded means just for

only because

for years, tried everything

And still, she lost.

these years, she couldn't compete with

fog of pain and

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

her waist, biting into her skin until

She glanced down.

out all over

above her head

picked up, her body swayed, the rope creaking. At any

gripped her chest, icy and

twisted around, heart

face loomed behind

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

hadn't said anything, he'd never have realized Jarrod was the one who orchestrated the destruction of The Harcourt

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

out, then Elodie was his only bargaining chip

as she tried to keep Malcom from snapping. "Tell me what you want.

that. If it weren't for you, the Harcourt family wouldn't be in ruins! But I suppose I should thank you-you're the

known Malcom was

only now did she truly see it: even her

the screech of brakes echoed from the street

as she looked