How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Watts understood all too well.

Jarrod had probably moved the child elsewhere long ago.

That "busy" organization back in New York City was nothing but a smokescreen.

Anyone looking into it would only see business as usual, never realizing

everything had already been set in motion behind the scenes.

And that was exactly why Watts found Jarrod so utterly detestable.

The old saying about a cunning fox with three escape holes could have been written for Jarrod he always had another trick, another backup plan.

Watts knew, deep down, that today would be a fight to the bitter end. No one was walking away unscathed.

The Verdania project-once a cornerstone of his ambitions-was finished. They'd lost all leverage and any chance to negotiate.

Even Elodie... there was no way he could take her with him now.

Pain radiated from the wound on his back, a sharp reminder of how much he'd lost today. It almost felt as if this injury would haunt him for the rest of his life, a constant echo of defeat.

his anger and resentment

at Elodie, but his words were for Jarrod. "Let's lay our cards on the

made up her mind-she never wanted anything to do with

still locked away back home. Your father agreed to three years-if she serves a day less, she's not getting out. It was already a courtesy that I let her handle those old grudges in private. But you, Mr. Aldridge, you went and shattered all of that

Watts' eyes hardened.

the air. "Let me be clear. Patricia is my bargaining chip now. She's not going to get any peace as long as I hold the reins. When the time comes, I

were

Watts' expression finally cracked.

he'd long since tried

of his

someone

for

She was

at his weakest spot,

rigid

was entirely capable of carrying

dare you-Patricia is still

tone cool and mocking.

Watts' face darkened.

serious offense-one that's sparked a crisis of trust