How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie's eyes flickered as she finally remembered the date for her surgical procedure had arrived, rescheduled because of the new treatment plan.

It was right in this window of time.

Jarrod was injured too, still far from recovered.

Elias walked over, taking a moment to assess Jarrod's condition. He already had some idea of what had happened before he came in.

Jarrod's injuries were serious.

A broken rib had punctured his lung; naturally, he'd need a long period of rest and recovery.

Elias lowered his gaze to Elodie. Beyond her arm in a cast, her face was drawn and pale, the look of someone who'd recently been ill. Her cheeks were flushed with fever, but her overall complexion was ashen and exhausted.

Her hand, resting on the side of the bed, trembled-likely from having barely eaten.

"You haven't had anything to eat?" he asked quietly.

Elodie realized she hadn't. She'd gone straight to Silverstein Group headquarters without stopping for anything.

Now she was beyond tired, running on empty.

Elias was silent for a moment. Then he pulled a still-warm bottle of sweetened milk from his coat pocket and set it beside her hand.

"You need to rest," he said. "Tomorrow's surgery can't afford any more surprises."

Elodie knew he was right; her condition was truly poor.

miscarriage surgery, she could feel it-her

Jarrod was so badly hurt, but there was no delaying it any longer.

I understand. Please go ahead and start preparations. We'll do it on schedule tomorrow," Elodie exhaled shakily. She had to face it, whether she liked it or

what tomorrow would bring... she had no

intention of leaving, and didn't try to persuade her. He could understand what she was

twenty-four hours before surgery-so after lunch today, nothing more. This afternoon the

gave him a grateful look.

the bottle. "Stay with him

he left, without another

gone, Elodie glanced

sips of the warm milk, settling her

hadn't slept at all the

sofa beside the

his eyes, every part of his body

brow creased

was painfully

and saw her-curled up on the loveseat in the

hand was awkwardly

as if

delicate face was tight with

breath caught

and brush

body was too tightly bandaged. As soon as he tried to move,

and let out a