How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

When Esmeralda spoke, her voice trembled, her bright eyes shimmering with tears—a look that was equal parts stubbornness and desperate pleading.

She seemed to have staked everything on this; there were no other options left. Fleming's expression darkened.

He simply pressed his lips together, staring at Esmeralda. There was surprise in his gaze, a mix of disbelief and shock.

Esmeralda took a deep breath, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. A

life was at stake-she couldn't afford to waste another second.

"Fleming, I'm not joking with you. I mean every word. I've never been more

serious. So, I'm begging you."

Letting go of Fleming wasn't something she could do easily.

But now, with Elodie's fate uncertain and their communication down, reaching out

for help had become next to impossible.

This country was always unpredictable. She couldn't take any chances.

Right now, the only way into that restricted zone was from above.

"Fleming, I've never asked you for anything. Just this once-can't you accept my offer and let the engagement be the price?"

She wasn't a fool.

She'd just been lying to herself all this time.

he didn't care; if he didn't love her enough, that was the

she was hurt-what more could she

stared into her red, humbled eyes

finally

coldly, casting Esmeralda a sidelong glance before turning and

say

Esmeralda froze.

changed in

Was Fleming really going?

Esmeralda rushed after him.

was already striding toward the

wildly-caught between a surge of

that

Tears spilled uncontrollably.

had agreed to enter the conflict zone-but only because she'd traded

not for her, but to escape her-and to run to

until she sat on the floor. Her laughter dissolved

years, her

stop any of it, ran a hand through his hair in

back to

"Do you have any idea what the consequences will be?"

Esmeralda didn't know.

point, it didn't

just sat around waiting for rescue, the risk

to sit

was give it everything she

The car kept moving.