How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Esmeralda sat cross-legged on the chair, eyes darting mischievously as she slurped up a mouthful of steaming instant noodles. With a grin, she slid her feet into her slippers and sprang up. "Alright, alright, I get it-you two have things to discuss. I know when I'm the third wheel. I'll leave you to your privacy."

She whisked herself onto the balcony, bowl in hand, ready to savor her midnight

snack in peace.

Elodie couldn't help but chuckle at her friend's theatrics.

Setting her phone down beside her laptop so it wouldn't get in the way of her work, she finally answered the call.

Jarrod's face filled the screen.

Elodie glanced at him briefly, still flipping through documents on her laptop. "Shouldn't you be asleep? It must be nearly one in the morning over there."

Jarrod appeared to be in his study, setting his phone on the desk. "I had to make sure you arrived safely, Ms. Thorne. Heartless as ever-not even a message to let me know?"

Elodie's conscience pricked at her.

She had reasoned earlier that it was too late to call him, not wanting to disturb his sleep. She'd planned to send a message first thing in the morning.

Besides, after so many years of handling things on her own, she still hadn't fully shifted her mindset. Some habits die hard, and she knew she could be careless about such things.

"Sorry," Elodie finally said.

watched her serious expression, then let out a quiet

How do you like the place? If anything isn't up to par, I

was clearly still uneasy about

make a fuss," she quickly interrupted. "I'm fine. I'm here to

shirt. "You certainly know how to tough it out. Am I the

he never hid how he felt. Even through the screen, she

over just in time to see Jarrod,

all lean muscle and clean

"...What are you

brow. "Changing my bandages. Why, did I shock

jumping to conclusions. She'd

She took a quick

look at his injuries.

healed, though the cut on his chest would still need time. Feeling somewhat

her attention to her

his chest

that now filled the

he finished, Jarrod noticed Elodie hadn't glanced

eyebrows. "Are you going to

a sidelong glance.