How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Andrea hadn't even had time to notify the rest of the Silverstein family.

By the time Elodie was wheeled out of surgery, it was nearly midnight. Her arm had been reattached and was now encased in a stiff cast.

Ivan's face had been drawn and pale the entire time. He'd stayed right by her side, escorting her all the way to her hospital room. If he hadn't managed to subdue Malcom after his outburst, none of this would have happened tonight.

He sat beside Elodie's bed, gripping her hand tightly, his eyes bloodshot with worry as he watched her face, still drained of color.

The anesthesia wore off quickly. As Elodie slowly came to, she felt someone holding her hand and, in her half-awake haze, instinctively wondered-was it Jarrod?

Her eyes fluttered open.

She found herself looking straight into Ivan's face, relief flooding his features as he leaned in. "You're awake! Does it still hurt? Let me call the nurse to see if you need more painkillers?"

As her mind cleared, Elodie glanced down at her hand trapped in his and gently pulled it free. "No need."

A deep ache throbbed in her head. She didn't even have the energy for polite pretense.

Ivan saw the distance in her eyes, and the hope on his face faded. "You're worried about Jarrod, aren't you?"

Elodie met his gaze, her voice quiet but firm. "Shouldn't I be?"

if struck, his expression briefly

just got out of surgery. He's still in

Elodie's heart

lingering numbness in her limbs, she pushed herself upright, desperate to get out of

her. "He's not

a reason to stop me? Ivan, you know exactly

fell silent, his face growing rigid and cold bit by

together from Malcom's scattered words. Someone had deliberately provoked him, escalating the situation-otherwise, none of

care about whatever turmoil was eating at Ivan. With effort, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood, staggering slightly as she made her

and she soon ran into

unconscious in bed. He hadn't woken yet. An oxygen mask covered his face, and his body was wrapped

never seen

closing, unable to breathe. She pressed her good hand to the glass, taking a shaky

doctors say?" she

wound on his back, lost a

going to

before... he wakes up."

on