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.

the miscarriage surgery, she could feel it-her body was running on

didn't want to end up back on the operating table right when Jarrod was so badly hurt, but there was no delaying it

ahead and start preparations. We'll do it on schedule tomorrow," Elodie

for what tomorrow would

of leaving, and didn't try to

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

him a grateful look. "Thank

toward the bottle. "Stay with him

he left,

Elias was gone, Elodie glanced at Jarrod

the

so exhausted. She hadn't slept

sofa beside the hospital bed and closed

opened his eyes, every part

brow creased

was

turned his head and saw her-curled up on the loveseat in

hand was

as if

face was

caught in

wanted to reach out and brush the stray hair from her

too tightly bandaged. As soon as

closed his eyes and let out