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.

surgery, she could feel it-her

so badly hurt, but there was no delaying it any

We'll do it on schedule tomorrow,"

for what tomorrow would bring...

didn't try to persuade her. He

first. No food for twenty-four hours before surgery-so after lunch today, nothing more. This afternoon the nurse

a

bottle. "Stay with him for

he left, without another

was gone, Elodie glanced at Jarrod

the warm milk, settling her

was so exhausted. She hadn't

sofa beside the hospital bed and closed

Jarrod opened his eyes, every part of

brow creased

was painfully

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

was awkwardly

cheek, as if

Her delicate face was tight with worry,

breath caught

brush

body was too tightly bandaged. As soon as he tried

his eyes and let out a