How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Esmeralda genuinely didn't want Elodie to get tangled up with Jarrod any further, especially not with something like this. In her mind, the outcome was already set -this child would never be born.noveldrama

Why make things more complicated?

Elodie had long since made up her mind. She shook her head lightly. "No need. Let's just pretend none of this ever happened."

For one thing, their paths were clearly destined to part. For another, her health wouldn't allow this child to survive. Telling him would only create more trouble— whether it was the push and pull of whether to keep the baby or the mess of her illness coming to light. She was done with unnecessary complications.

There was no reason for Jarrod to know.

Her body, her decision-the choice was entirely hers.

Only then did Elias glance at Elodie, his expression briefly softening. Just as he'd suspected, there were bigger problems between her and Jarrod than anyone let

on.

"I know things must feel complicated right now," Elias said gently. "Don't worry. Take your time, get your head straight, and when you're ready, we'll schedule with gynecology to take care of things." He wasn't about to pressure her once she'd decided on the procedure, it wouldn't have much impact on her future health.

"Thank you." Elodie kept her eyes lowered, her body wracked with chills, though her face betrayed nothing.

But inside, the pain was deep and abiding.

She'd hoped and waited for so long. None of it happened overnight.

But the child had come at the worst possible time.

She had no way to keep this baby.

And she would need time-time to accept reality.

"I have some urgent work deadlines coming up," she said after a moment. "If I have the procedure right now, I'm worried I won't be able to handle the workload afterward. I'd like to wait two more weeks and get through this first phase before scheduling the surgery."

She'd just started her new job at 719, and with her cancer on top of this, if she added the procedure now, she'd almost certainly end up bedridden.

If she could just finish this first round of work, she'd have a window to recover.

Esmeralda, who knew all too well how Elodie had struggled these past years, sniffed and said, "Your health comes first. Everything else is secondary. Nothing is more important than you."

Elodie just smiled, quietly resolute, though beneath it all, there was a trace of bitterness.

Elias glanced again at her pale, delicate face, lips pressed thin in worry. In the end, he couldn't help but offer, "Once the surgery's done, I'll do my best to help with your treatment. There's still hope for a good recovery." sŵnovel

After a brief pause, he checked the time. "Since you're pregnant for now, we'll need to adjust your

medications to reduce any side

effects Once the procee

and you've had some time

recover, we'll move forward with the tumor surgery."

At the very least, the medications shouldn't conflict with her current condition. Otherwise, she'd be risking a cascade of complications before even making it to surgery.

Elodie's body couldn't take much more.

She nodded. "Alright. Thank you."

Elias wrote her a new prescription.

Once she had the medication, Esmeralda accompanied her downstairs.

As they stepped into the main lobby, Elodie came face-to-face with Queenie Jett, whose pregnant belly was unmistakable.

Queenie held some medical paperwork in her hand. The moment she saw Elodie, her expression turned frosty.

Queenie had never liked Elodie—especially after the last time Ivan Harcourt caused such a scene. It was almost impossible for her not to take it out on Elodie.

Ivan had been out drinking last night, got himself utterly wasted, and now he was suffering from stomach pains, which had landed them at the hospital.

Elodie didn't so much as glance her way.

But Queenie stopped her. "Elodie, our wedding's next month. I still need a bridesmaid. You should do it—as a gesture that you sincerely wish Ivan well."

Elodie froze in her tracks.

Even Esmeralda gaped at Queenie, incredulous. "What, don't you have any friends? Inviting Elodie—is this some kind of sick joke?"

Queenie ignored Esmeralda and fixed her gaze on Elodie. "Ivan and I went to high school together. Then college. We loved him for years, but your presence cost us all that time. You never should have taken up his life and his time back then. So, as compensation-and to make a clean break-you should stand by me as my bridesmaid. That way, we can both finally have peace of mind."