How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie had arrived.

And now, Ivan would see things clearly at last.

They were no longer on the same path.

"What makes you think you have the right to demand I do your dirty work for the sake of your so-called 'love'?" Elodie shot back, her voice calm and detached.

Queenie's face tightened, irritation flashing in her eyes.

Elodie's gaze dropped to Queenie's swollen belly. "Ms. Jett, if it's really yours, no one can take it from you. Besides, not everyone is dying to have what you've got."

Just as Queenie herself had said after all these years of knowing Ivan, even when they didn't end up together, it was always, somehow, Elodie's fault. What sense did that make?

"You claim I ruined things for you two? I'm curious-when exactly did you start dating? Last I checked, before he went away, Ivan was still single."

At the mention, Queenie's expression changed instantly. Panic flickered across her features, and she clenched her fists tight, almost without realizing.

Back then...

It was a month after Ivan had gone to prison, during one of her visits, that they'd made things official. She'd promised to wait for him, and Ivan had sworn he wouldn't let her down.

A voice interrupted. "What are you doing here?”

Ivan appeared, clutching his stomach, his face drawn and brooding. His eyes barely left Elodie, scanning her up and down for any sign she might be unwell.

Queenie snapped out of her daze, immediately turning to cling to his arm.

Elodie gave Ivan's pale face a level look, then gently took Esmeralda's hand. "Let's go."

Esmeralda, already feeling unlucky to have run into these two, turned on her heel, eager to leave.

"My wedding-you'll be there, won't you? Sister?" Ivan's voice was cold as he stared at Elodie's retreating back, his hand clenched tight at his side.

Elodie glanced over her shoulder at him. "I wish you happiness, Mr. Harcourt."

There was not the slightest trace of longing in her voice.

That cool detachment-like she was speaking to a stranger-set something off in him. His thoughts roared.

They'd always had only each other, from childhood until now. How had it come to this?

She was the one in the wrong. How dare she treat him like this?

"Ivan? You should see a doctor." Queenie clung to his arm, face tense with worry. Lately, Ivan had been drinking heavily, making no effort to hide his turmoil.

Queenie had known about Elodie all along. She refused to show weakness, to let anyone think she'd lost.

Ivan finally seemed to come back to himself. He glanced down at Queenie, his eyes gradually settling. He stopped and spoke quietly, "Queenie, maybe we should reconsider the wedding."

He couldn't keep up this charade anymore.

Elodie's indifference both stunned and exhausted him.

Queenie's expression twisted in panic. She forced out a brittle laugh. "Ivan, you can't be serious. I waited for you three years! I'm pregnant, for God's sake-don't you dare say things like that."

Ivan's mind was a tangle. He couldn't stop seeing that look on Elodie's face, as if

he meant nothing to her. How could she possibly not want him?noveldrama

"I never wanted this baby at first. You were the one who said you didn't care about marriage but still wanted a child. You promised you'd neveruse it to pressure me. Queenie, when I took over TerraGreen Solutions, the company was on the brink of collapse, drowning in debt. Your father handed it to me, testing my worth. I pulled TerraGreen back from the edge. Everything I owed-I've paid in full."

Queenie went deathly pale, her eyes locked on him. “The invitations are already out-you want to call off the wedding now?! Ivan, is this because you want to go back to Elodie? You have no idea what she's really like! Sylvie Fielding nearly lost everything because of her. My best friend suffered at her hands. Don't you see how vicious Elodie is?"

Ivan, looking drained from his hangover, frowned. "What happens to her is none

of your concern. There's nothing more to discuss."

He turned to leave.

Queenie was furious, her eyes rimmed red with tears. "Ivan! If you go back to her, I'll make sure Elodie pays for it. I swear, if I have to go down, I'll take her with me!"

Just then, a sharp pain twisted through her abdomen. Her face blanched in shock. "Ivan..."