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.

out a quiet laugh. "At least you're

anything isn't up to par, I can talk to the higher-ups and have medical

clearly still uneasy about Elodie's

she quickly interrupted. "I'm fine. I'm here to work, not to

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

but he never hid how he felt.

see Jarrod, now with his shirt undone, pulling

was all lean muscle and clean

blinked. "...What are

a brow. "Changing my

felt a bit foolish for jumping to conclusions. She'd assumed he was just teasing

She took a quick

look at his injuries.

the cut on his chest would still need

her

his chest

that now filled the

finished, Jarrod noticed Elodie

raised his eyebrows. "Are you going to

him a sidelong glance. "What