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.

mind flickered through a reel of memories, good and bad. In this moment, none of it seemed to matter as

get better soon, okay? When you're well, let's go see our child

be a fresh

new life for

was no point blowing up the

the present-and

couldn't deny it anymore: Jarrod had broken through her defenses, again

love him, but really, that feeling had just been buried, hidden behind a protective

pretended not to care, but that was never the truth. At

step, as if to show her

her arms around his waist making

moment before he lowered his gaze to

"Elodie?"

big decisions or sudden changes Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "don't do this often Jarrod. But...

goes, together."

chest tremble and swell,

her waist and pulled her close, his voice husky with emotion. "That's all

years, they'd never

precious

was still sorting

had shaped her, made her guarded and