How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Even Elodie had to admit the whole thing felt rushed.

Her engagement ring had fetched a small fortune at auction, yet his own ring-the one he'd wear for her had been thrown together so casually?

She couldn't say why, but suddenly, Elodie found herself wondering about

Jarrod's state of mind back then.

He'd done so much for her behind the scenes, pouring his heart into it.

But Jarrod was never the type to parade his devotion. When he cared for someone, he didn't count the cost or expect anything in return.

Looking back, it seemed everything between them had been carefully, almost painstakingly orchestrated by him.

She even questioned-if not for all the things Jarrod quietly did would their bond have been so deep?

"You really know how to keep things bottled up," Elodie said quietly, stepping closer. She looked up at his refined features, gaze intent and searching.

Jarrod met her eyes, unwavering. "So should I be looking for some credit? Is it too late for that?"

Elodie's lips quirked in a faint smile, but she didn't answer. Instead, she stepped forward again, and before Jarrod even realized what was happening-she wrapped her arms around his waist, not too tight or loose.

With her eyes closed, Elodie rested her cheek against his chest.

good and bad. In this moment, none of

okay? When you're well, let's go see

would be a

new life for

realize so many things. There was no point blowing up the small stuff

was about the present-and whatever came

deny it anymore: Jarrod had broken through

really, that

truth. At the time, she'd

Jarrod always kept moving forward, step by step, as if to show her he'd always be walking the same road by her

could feel her warmth through his shirt, her

he lowered his gaze to look at

"Elodie?"

great with big decisions or sudden changes Her voice was soft, almost a

goes, together."

chest tremble and swell, filling him with a wild, dizzy

his arms around her waist and pulled her close, his voice husky with emotion. "That's all I've ever

but somehow, through all those years, they'd never truly loved

how precious this moment

was still sorting through

her guarded and