How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Jarrod finally lifted his eyelids and glanced at his pampered little sister. "How old are you again? You sure think a lot for someone your age.”

Octavia huffed. "Come on, you should be grateful! I'm not joking, you know. I'm eighteen now. After I graduate, I'll just try to find someone handsome and gentle- someone who's at least a decent match for the Silverstein family. It'd be good for us, and at least I wouldn't drag the family down. I could even give you all a cute, healthy baby to spoil. But I've decided, he shouldn't come from a family as powerful as ours—just a little less, so if I have a child, they wouldn't have any grounds to complain."

Jarrod: "..."

He realized, to his surprise, that Octavia was actually serious.

She'd even thought through the details, probably burning through more brain cells than he cared to imagine.

"There's no need. Our family doesn't need you to worry about that." He couldn't be bothered to entertain Octavia's wild notions any longer, and turned to check on Elodie.

That's when he noticed she was awake-he hadn't even seen her open her eyes.

She was lying there, quietly listening to them talk.

Jarrod's gaze softened. He immediately reached for her hand. "How are you feeling?"

Elodie had actually been awake for a while, her eyelids heavy, unable to open them until now.

She'd heard every word Octavia said, clear as day.

And with that, there was nothing left she didn't understand.

was dry and scratchy. "I'm all

was to check Jarrod for any

hospital clothes, so it was impossible to see what was underneath, but he seemed to be doing well. She figured his recovery must be

she let out a silent sigh of

Thank goodness.

goodness he was

fidgeted with her backpack and scratched at her hair. "Should I get the doctor to come

Elodie for

didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. After several days, even the

need," Elodie said first, shaking her

could speak just fine, Octavia fiddled with her fingers, grumbled, "Okay, then I'll leave you guys to it. I've got things to do anyway.

gave Elodie a quick once-over, confirmed she was really all right, and dashed out

let her

pillow behind

thinking, Elodie touched her abdomen and turned

and after a long moment, nodded.

removed earlier today,

quite

she

that instant. She'd

outcome, but

it became