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."

in front of you!" Queenie was shaking, frantic and out of

to look back. His voice was ice, every word a blade: "Suit yourself. Don't expect me to attend

he was gone-tires squealing into

the floor, limp

back then, but to use underhanded means just for a

because

years, tried everything she

And still, she lost.

all these years, she couldn't compete with the

mind was a fog of pain

realized she

tight around her waist, biting into

She glanced down.

sweat broke out all

had no railing; the rope above her head was knotted around a

up, her body swayed, the rope creaking. At

her chest, icy

around, heart

monstrous face loomed

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

realized Jarrod was

safety net vanished. Ivan would see

then Elodie was his

from snapping. "Tell me what you want. We can

But I suppose I should thank

had always known Malcom

truly see it: even her own

screech of brakes echoed

she looked down-dust billowed as a familiar Rolls-Royce came to a