How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Lily finally fixed her gaze on the ring on Elodie's hand. "I remember years ago— maybe four years?—I went with my dad to an auction in Paris. That ring was the highlight of the night."

Elodie immediately turned to look at Jarrod, who met her eyes calmly, as if he'd been expecting this.

Lily went on, "It was a real showstopper. Everyone wanted it, and if I remember right, the final price was... about eleven million dollars."

Elodie nearly choked.

She lowered her eyes to the ring on her finger, then looked back at Jarrod, stunned.

How much?

"That ring has a legendary backstory. It's a one-of-a-kind piece by a top Spanish jeweler from a century ago. The value was off the charts. I remember the auctioneer saying it had ended up in a museum collection. The designer created it in the name of love, and it inspired all sorts of stories back then. A few years ago, the museum put it back on the block, calling it 'Heart and Soul'-and it went for a fortune."

The memory was still vivid for Lily.

She'd grown up in a family that traveled the world, often tagging along with her father.

She'd only been a teenager back then, still dazzled by the world of fine jewelry, but with a price tag like that, there was no way she could compete.

After all, who would spend eleven million on a diamond ring?

"Mr. Silverstein really spoils his wife," Lucy blurted out, her face full of envy.

Elodie felt the ring burning on her finger.

She stared at Jarrod in disbelief. "Is that true?"

Jarrod shot her a sidelong glance. "It's true."

He really had flown out just for that auction.

It was the week after they'd decided to go to city hall for their marriage license.noveldrama

Elodie was speechless for a moment.

He'd never breathed a word about it.

Her ring was a one-off from an auction. So what about the matching wedding band on Jarrod's hand?

Lily's story had left everyone at the table a little awestruck.

Talk about effort.

Lucy glanced at Fleming, then across at Esmeralda, but kept quiet.

Elodie suddenly felt like the ring was a hot potato. She slipped her hand to her lap and smoothly changed the subject. "So, have we finalized everyone's opinions for the proposal?"

She steered the conversation back on track.

Gradually, the others snapped out of their reverie.

Esmeralda leaned in, voice low. "Holy crap. He really went that far?"

Was this the attitude of a man supposedly 'forced into marriage' by Elodie?

He'd secretly dropped a fortune just to put a mountain of gold on her finger?

Even at their level, that kind of price for jewelry was shocking.

This wasn't an investment. There was no way to make that money back. He'd just thrown everything at it, no hesitation.

Especially coming from Jarrod a man who calculated every dollar.

Under the table, Elodie ran her finger over the diamond, her thoughts in a whirl.

Alexander tugged Esmeralda's

sleeve,

I when she sat back, het

"Looks like things have

thawed between them."

Esmest exhaled, not sure

what

ay. After all, Jarronet friend,' what more could

nearly died for Elodie. As

ask?

They wrapped up their discussion.

By then, it was getting late.

Fleming and Lucy stood to leave.

Elodie noticed and rose as well, casually remarking, "It's Esme's birthday today— any plans?"

Her words were loud enough for Fleming and Lucy to hear.

Both turned their heads in surprise.

Esmeralda immediately caught Elodie's hint: She was testing the waters for her. Alexander looked over too. "Esme, what do you want to do for your birthday?" Esmeralda instinctively glanced at Fleming, opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Her fiancé hadn't made a move all day. She couldn't help feeling a bit let down. Fleming frowned, deep in thought.

Lucy caught on quickly, tugging

Fleming's arm and urging him

forward. "Come on, you should

celebrate Esme's birthday. Go ahead-it's fine, really."

Elodie squinted at Lucy, suddenly finding her interesting.

Fleming needed his fiancée's friend to nudge him into celebrating her birthday?

That was something.