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.

didn't care, he didn't care; if he didn't love her

hadn't even noticed when she was hurt-what

her red, humbled eyes for a

unable to hold back, finally stepped forward. "Fleming,

a sidelong glance

didn't say anything

Esmeralda froze.

changed

Was Fleming really going?

Esmeralda rushed after him.

striding toward the

wildly-caught between a surge of

ache that left

Tears spilled uncontrollably.

conflict zone-but only because she'd traded

her, but to escape her-and to run to

she sat on the floor. Her laughter dissolved

these years, her

stop any of it, ran a hand through his

back to

mix of exasperation and a restraint, he said, "Do you have any idea

Esmeralda didn't know.

point, it didn't

sat around waiting for rescue, the risk would

sit back and do

could do was give it everything

The car kept moving.