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.

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

like they're searching for someone," his bodyguard said in a tense whisper.

eyes narrowed, a chill settling over

make out who they

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

eyes slowly narrowed at the

could he not recognize

had every generation of the Fielding family investigated, leaving

kept meticulous tabs on everyone they'd ever dealt

had once been connected to the

had even had a brief

son.

nowhere, the Quinns

cold, sharp light flickered in

need to guess anymore-too many things lined

that, someone

else could it be, here

was nearly impossible. Worse still, he had

a snap decision: "Avoid them. Head

many men on the other side, regrouping was

leaving. Not

family involved, getting

likely be trapped here for some

Jarrod

his inked quickly-thankfully,

had mostly

he

keep up without

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