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.

moment, he couldn't tell which stung more: his anger and resentment toward Jarrod's company, or the ache

words were for Jarrod. "Let's lay our cards on the table, Mr. Silverstein. What's

her mind-she never wanted anything to do with

upward, coldly composed. "You should be well aware, Mr. Aldridge. Patricia is 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

Watts' eyes hardened.

When the time comes, I have plenty of

words were

Watts' expression finally cracked.

tried to let go achment to

of his

someone he'd

for

was

directly at his

froze, rigid with

was entirely capable of carrying out

how dare you-Patricia is still an

his tone cool and mocking. "You think your actions can't touch

Watts' face darkened.

"Your little 'kidnapping' of Elodie has already been reported It's a serious offense-one that's sparked a crisis of trust between both countries. When you