How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

This time, she could truly feel how much thought and care he had poured into everything. He was the one who had given her hope again.

Jarrod was in good shape, so his recovery was impressively quick.

That very afternoon, Elodie received a message from the base administration- her appointment letter had come through.

She'd been promoted, skipping a whole level. From now on, she would lead the research division, overseeing a team of senior engineers. More responsibilities would follow.

She hadn't told her superiors about her illness or the surgery. The first phase of the project was over and a short break was scheduled, so by the time the second phase began, in just over a week, she'd be nearly back to normal. The minimally invasive procedure meant her recovery was swift.

That evening,

Elodie didn't bother Jarrod. She took a shower in the guest room, hoping for some peace.

But when she stepped out, she found Jarrod already propped up on the guest bed, reading a book.

She stopped in her tracks. "What are you doing here?"

Without even glancing up, Jarrod turned a page. "Can't shower in the master bathroom? If you're sleeping in here, then so am I.”

Elodie was momentarily speechless. "Jarrod, how old are you?”

He looked up slowly, a lazy smile flickering in his eyes. "Don't you know?"

couldn't even find a retort, worried that whatever she said would only lead him

Jarrod had no intention of

bother arguing. "I have a ton of work to handle online tonight, lots of coordination. I'll

he said. "You working late is practically my

She gave up.

word, she settled on the sofa and opened her

was a mountain of work waiting for her. She couldn't just use

off-too much depended on her

deep partnership with Vistalink Technologies, and there would be high-level discussions with the fighter pilot team to coordinate adjustments

would be holding a video conference that

into a fresh

Tonight's agenda was packed.

absorbed. Jarrod, for his part, left her alone for the most part, lounging on the bed with his book, though every so often he'd look up and watch her for a long moment, his gaze drifting from the page

out from her laptop as people joined the call Jarrod checked the time now

just discussing a proposal in response to Alexander's question when, out of nowhere,

froze, words dying on

other end of the call, every conversation stopped

stared wide-eyed through the camera, expressions shifting

to barely-suppressed amusement.

real