How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

He'd tried to get in touch with Esmeralda along the way.

There was one call that actually went through.

From patchy updates, he learned Elodie wasn't with Esmeralda—she'd somehow become separated. Worse, he hadn't even managed to contact anyone else from Elodie's group.

None of this boded well.

The uncertainty left Jarrod on edge, every nerve stretched taut.

Ahead, the sky glowed with the flicker of fire.

The security team he'd hired was already fanning out, searching for her.

Elodie, with her striking Asian features and undeniable beauty, would surely stand out in any crowd-easy to spot, but that also made her a target.

Jarrod's expression was grim. This was supposed to be a safe zone, but chaos had erupted out of nowhere. No one could have predicted this.

Careful to avoid the broken rubble underfoot, he strode forward, eyes flicking constantly to his phone for updates.

There were countless places around the world plagued by hardship. Jarrod didn't have time to worry about strangers' struggles-right now, all he cared about was finding Elodie, and fast.

She'd always been frail, unable to withstand hardship or exposure. The thought of her out there, vulnerable, was unbearable.

Bang!

A shot rang out behind him, whistling dangerously close.

His bodyguard reacted instantly, grabbing Jarrod and pulling him into cover at lightning speed.

Jarrod scowled, ducking low into the shadows.

He peered out, scanning the distance.

view, equipped with high-end gear, flanking a center car. Whoever had fired that shot had meant business-they were coming for

in a

narrowed, a chill settling over

you make out who they are?" he

gray-area contacts—leaned against the wall, peering through the

narrowed

could he not

then, he'd had every generation of the Fielding family investigated, leaving no

kept meticulous tabs on everyone they'd ever dealt

that Sylvie and her daughter had once been connected to the

had a brief involvement with the Quinn family's

son.

out of nowhere, the

cold, sharp light flickered

to guess

of that, someone had

else could it

this point, evacuation was nearly impossible. Worse still, he had no idea what had happened to

"Avoid them. Head for the rendezvous

the other side, regrouping

wasn't leaving. Not

involved, getting out wouldn't

be trapped here for some

Jarrod

his inked quickly-thankfully,

injuries had mostly

he

keep up without

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