How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

"Has the surgery been scheduled yet?" Jarrod's voice was low, his Adam's apple bobbing as he finally asked.

Elias thought for a moment. "There was a date discussed before. She's free now, so we can go ahead whenever she's ready."

Jarrod glanced up at him, his gaze intense and unyielding. "Did she talk to you about which option she wants?"

Elias recalled Elodie's demeanor from earlier and could guess at her thoughts. "Given what she's said, I think she might want to take the risk."

"Can you just remove her uterus straightaway?"

Jarrod's words cut through the air, abruptly silencing Elias.

Elias blinked in surprise, turning to look at him. Only then did he realize how unwavering Jarrod's eyes were, as if nothing in the world could ever matter more than Elodie.

Elias suddenly understood him, narrowing his eyes. "Mr. Silverstein, are you trying to decide for her?"

"What could possibly matter more than keeping her safe?" Jarrod braced his fist against the wall, standing up straighter. Even though his voice was hoarse, there was no room for negotiation in the way he spoke.

He couldn't allow even the slightest chance that something might happen to Elodie.

He understood what Elias was saying. If the operation failed, Elodie probably wouldn't have much time left.

Her illness was already in its final stages; even the smallest trauma could be fatal.

He found himself hating his own choices.

Why did he have to touch her that night on the ship?

Wasn't he the one who'd led Elodie to this moment?

He knew her better than anyone. Despite her cool exterior, she was gentle at heart. She didn't have much family, barely any real sense of belonging. In Elodie's eyes, perhaps the only person she could ever truly connect with would be her own child.

He knew exactly how much she longed for one.

He could picture her-Elodie, willing to risk everything for even the faintest hope.

Elias glanced at the man before him, taken aback.

The head of the Silverstein family.

And yet he wasn't even considering the future of his own bloodline? Didn't he care about an heir?

Jarrod closed his eyes briefly before responding try to talk it through with her. Dr. Warwick, I need you to do what's best for her as a physician-choose the treatment that gives her the best chance, regardless of what she tells you. And let me know what she decides, would you?"

Elias hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Of course."

He set up Elodie's IV and left the room.

Jarrod clenched his cold hands, then sat down by her bedside.noveldrama

Only now, in this quiet moment, did he let his guard down. Inch by inch, he reached out, tracing her brows, her thin, pale cheeks.

His fingers skimmed over the delicate bone beneath her brow, down to the fragile

skin of her face, and along the sharp line of her jaw.

Every inch of her thin, angular frame felt like a blade, cutting him to the bone.

Why couldn't he have paid more attention-been more careful?

She'd grown so thin.

He'd kept telling himself it was just work, or stress, or her tendency to skip meals when she was focused. He never realized how bad it had gotten.

No wonder Elodie had stopped wearing dresses. Even in the height of summer, she hid herself away in long sleeves and pants, covering up the sharpest edges of her body.

He gently took her hand, rolling up her sleeve; her arm felt so fragile, as if it might

snap at the slightest touch.

Jarrod took in every detail, his breath coming short and painful, his chest tight, eves burning. He pressed her hand to his forehead, letting the ho tears fall, unable to hold anything back.