How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Maurice and the others were almost spot on with their guesses. He let out a strained hiss. "They ran off together? Wait-hang on, that can't be right."

Who ever heard of a groom eloping with his own bride?

Even the matriarch was baffled. "So what exactly is his plan now?"

Lucinda and the others all turned to look at her.

There were only ten minutes left before the ceremony was supposed to begin.

The butler, dabbing nervously at the sweat on his brow, looked like he'd never seen anything like this in all his years of service. "Mr. Silverstein said to go ahead and seat the guests. When the time comes, everything will be made clear."

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. None of them felt the least bit confident, but with the bride and groom missing, what else could they do?

They didn't even know where the couple had gone.

The matriarch made a decisive call. "Enough. Let's just trust Jarrod."

The arrangements were set, the guests were here—whatever happened, they had to see this through.

Esmeralda, anxious and fidgeting, spun around and hurried to call Elodie.

But all she got was a pre-recorded message: "The number you have dialed is unavailable."

Esmeralda stared at her phone, speechless.

So she was being shut out too? Elodie hadn't even told her?

Frustrated, she turned around-just in time to spot Fleming, who had already arrived.

He noticed her as well. Before Esmeralda could school her expression, she saw Lucy gliding up behind Fleming.

caught Esmeralda's eye and offered a warm,

and gracious as

had done nothing to deserve her resentment.

scene with his usual composure. He stopped by Esmeralda's side and, without warning, gave her a light tap on the back of the head.

head and glared

her, nodding toward the front. "You

still officially Fleming's fiancée, so being seen

looking down at her shoes. "He's already got company. I'm not

then moved ahead. "At least you're not

lips and followed, forcing herself not

part, just cast

back before turning to

here

playfully. "Aren't you going to

expression didn't change. "No

babysit me, you know. I can take

remained as impassive as ever, not

slipping

guests were gradually being

was ushered into the

a breathtaking view of snowy mountains

it seemed to

calm everyone's

nerves.

s

the minute hand ticked to the scheduled hour, there was still no sign of the

whispering began to spread among the guests confusion and speculation