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."

from the base would show up today-they'd be working together a lot going

to the

Two of

soon as Elodie entered, Lily stood up, shot a quick and critical look at

immediately checked to see how she was doing. Satisfied she was fine, he began

Greetings were exchanged.

voice called out

I'm late. Traffic

moment that voice carried through the room, Elodie felt Esmeralda freeze at her side, gripping her arm even

hitched, nerves written all over her

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

deep breath, forced her most radiant smile,

soon as she saw who was standing there,

beside him was a tall, slender woman with an

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

immediately who she was: Fleming's

Instead, he looked around the room. "This is my sister, Lucy. Hope

wasn't strictly official, so there was no need for