How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Esmeralda's birthday had arrived.

It was today, in fact, but she was swamped with work and would have to get through it before making any evening plans.

She nodded absently, her gaze flickering with a trace of hope, as if she was waiting for something.

Suddenly, Elodie seemed to remember and arched an eyebrow. "Ah, that's right— your fiancé's back in town. Got anything planned with him?"

Esmeralda's shoulders slumped as she shook her head, crestfallen. "He hasn't even called. I'm not sure he remembers."

Before Fleming went abroad, he always made time for her on her birthday.

Elodie ruffled Esmeralda's hair. "He'll remember. He's back now, and even if he forgets, you can always remind him. Just tell him you want to spend the day together."

Esmeralda's eyes lit up as if a cloud had lifted. "You're right! And it's Sunday, so he's got to be free."

Seeing her friend's smile, Elodie couldn't help but grin too.

"Is everyone here?" Elodie asked as they walked down the hall.

Esmeralda shook her head. "Not yet, but Alex is inside, chatting with a few of them already."

show up today-they'd be working together

up to the

them well-dressed and striking in appearance. Two of them, Elodie recognized immediately-they were special ops pilots who'd transferred

Lockwood was there too. As soon as Elodie entered, Lily stood up, shot a quick

seeing Elodie arrive, immediately checked to see how she was doing. Satisfied she

Greetings were exchanged.

voice called out from

late. Traffic was a

Elodie felt Esmeralda freeze at her side, gripping

glanced down; Esmeralda's breath hitched,

or stir up some fun. Yet somehow, there was one

forced her most radiant

soon as she saw who was

him was a tall, slender woman with

wasn't exactly striking, but she had an effortless grace

immediately who she was: Fleming's

he looked around the room. "This is my sister, Lucy. Hope nobody minds if she joins

so there was no