How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Fleming saw the blood this time. He strode over, frowning, and took Esmeralda's hand. "Careless, aren't you?"

His words sounded like a scolding, but his actions were quick-he dug into his bag and pulled out antiseptic and a bandage.

He bent his head, carefully cleaning the thin line of blood on her skin. His brows stayed tightly knit the whole time.

Watching his expression, Esmeralda suddenly felt a dull ache in her chest.

She bit her lip and, almost against her will, blurted out, "Fleming, if Lucy weren't your sister, would you still want to marry me?"

He froze for a heartbeat, then his face grew cold. "What are you even talking about?"

"I don't want to keep having this conversation with you. There's no point getting lost in what-ifs."

He finished with the bandage and let go of her hand. Clearly, the question had annoyed him.

But why-what was really underneath that reaction-Esmeralda couldn't say. She knew Fleming's tone; he didn't want her being "unreasonable" in his eyes. She glanced down at the bandaged cut and nodded quietly. "Alright. I'll let you get back to work."

She hurried off.

room, Elodie Thorne was already heating

Esmeralda. She paused, walked over, and tilted her head

how to describe it. Was it a fight?

making a fuss—as if she was searching for reasons to be upset. After all, they're siblings and get along well, so why did it bother

slumped, staring down at her feet. "Not exactly. I don't even know how to

cheerful and open-hearted, could be a little naive when it came to

said gently, taking Esmeralda's hand. "If something makes you unhappy and you can't get

lost. "I want to marry him. I'm not getting any younger, and

As for everything else...

just spent too

goal, but the process matters too. How you feel along the way-that's going to give you

shrugged, trying to shake off the gloom. "You're right. Relationships are all about growing together. I

leaned over to hug Elodie's arm, her eyes bright with hope. "Things will get better, right? Besides, the

be a fresh start-a new sense of responsibility for both of

her, wanting to say more but

grown up in a loving, sheltered family, always the bright center of attention, endlessly optimistic. But that optimism could