How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Jarrod stood by the window, his expression clouded with worry as he looked down at the chaos unfolding below. Elodie was still missing-no one had found her yet.

And with others circling like sharks, he knew he had to tread even more carefully

now.

He turned to Fleming, who was working intently at the console ahead. "What brings Mr. Mercer here?"

Without pausing, Fleming replied, "Esmeralda asked me to come in and look for Ms. Thorne. I thought she might be with you."

Jarrod's heart sank.

Clearly, Elodie was still nowhere to be found.

"I haven't found her yet," he murmured, eyes dropping to the wedding ring on his finger.

Fleming continued, "I've already searched both the west and south wings-no sign of her. Which way did you come in, Mr. Silverstein?"

This area wasn't all that big, but with the ongoing chaos and people trapped everywhere, finding anyone was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

frowned, deep in thought. "So

glanced at the map, then added, "She wasn't alone—there were locals with her, all colleagues, evacuating as a team. Finding one person

gaze sharpened. "If it was a team, they should've checked in with headquarters by now. The silence

were just Elodie, maybe something had happened to her alone. But for

shouldn't be this difficult to find

Unless...

it possible they're not even

military had

that, Jarrod's theory was starting to sound

out his phone, trying again

new plan forming. If Elodie was no longer in the area, he'd consider using

didn't hesitate. He rounded up his team

Night had fallen.

on the

furnished. She still hadn't seen any of her colleagues. Watts was missing, too; maybe

had no idea what time it

her had finally retreated for a break, leaving

her chance. She slipped out