How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Lucy's eyes sparkled as she carefully cradled the gift she'd picked out, her smile open and genuine. She waited, expectantly, for Esmeralda to take it.

But Lucy's words, cheerful and innocent as they were, cut straight through Esmeralda like an invisible blade, sharp and cold.

Esmeralda's gaze flickered past Lucy to Fleming, standing quietly behind her. So, he didn't remember at all... Not even her birthday. It had come to this-Lucy, not Fleming, had thought to bring a gift on his behalf.

Esmeralda hesitated for a long moment, her hands unmoving.

Lucy glanced around, a little confused, a little embarrassed now that a few people had started to look their way. She leaned in, voice soft and uncertain. "You... don't like it?"

Fleming noticed Lucy's discomfort. After all, she'd put real effort into picking out a gift, and now Esmeralda was just standing there, not taking it.

He turned to Esmeralda, his tone gentle but firm. "Lucy chose it with care. Go ahead, accept it. Consider it from both of us."

He didn't want Lucy to feel awkward in front of everyone.

Elodie, nearby, caught the subtle undertone in Fleming's words. She frowned ever

so slightly; it was clear to her that Fleming's concern was mostly for Lucy.

Esmeralda knew it too. Fleming hadn't even noticed how much it hurt her that he'd forgotten her birthday. But he'd spoken, and Lucy was only trying to be kind. Esmeralda didn't want to make a scene in front of everyone.

She nodded and took the gift, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

Lucy let out a relieved breath, flashing Fleming a triumphant smile—her eyes saying, See? I told you it'd be fine. "I'm glad you like it," she said to Esmeralda, but her gaze lingered on Fleming.

Esmeralda nodded awkwardly, the weight of so many eyes pressing down on her.

There were plenty of people in the room. It wasn't as if Esmeralda was oblivious; everyone could tell Lucy had stepped in where Fleming hadn't. It was painfully obvious now-Fleming didn't really care. Having that realization in public only made her feel more exposed.

Sensing Esmeralda's discomfort, Elodie slipped her hand into Esmeralda's and pulled her away, guiding her toward a table, making it clear she didn't intend to leave Esmeralda standing alone in the middle of it all.

Esmeralda followed quietly, glancing back as she walked away.

Fleming was leading Lucy to their seats as well.

Lucy glanced at Esmeralda, then seemed to realize something. She turned to Fleming. "Hey, maybe you should sit with Esmeralda. She is your fiancée, after all."

Lucy always did think of everything.

But Fleming was already sitting down. He glanced at Esmeralda, who was watching him, then said, "Esmeralda has her friends. You just have me. It's fine."

Esmeralda's grip tightened around her water glass.

Lucy just chuckled, finally catching on. "I'm not a kid anymore, you know!"

Fleming didn't reply, just poured her a glass of water.

Esmeralda sat directly across from them, watching it all unfold, a hollow ache in her chest. She'd been scolded by Fleming before for asking about his relationship Lucy, and since then, she'd never dared to bring it up again.

But it always seemed like Fleming's attention drifted back to Lucy.

Elodie glanced at Esmeralda, worry flickering in her eyes. She'd always known Esmeralda acted carefree, but deep down, she was a genuinely sweet girl—a little wild, perhaps, but never overstepping her boundaries. Just a paper tiger, really.

And now, confronted with Lucy's gentle kindness, Esmeralda didn't stand a chance.

As Esmeralda brooded, Lily appeared at Elodie's side, her tone petulant. "Why have you been ignoring me all evening?"

Elodie looked up. "Do we need to make a big deal out of saying hi?"

Lily huffed and plopped down beside her. "Of course we do! Otherwise, how will everyone know we're close?"

Elodie raised an eyebrow.

That struck a nerve with Esmeralda.

a herv

She looked up sharply, catching the shift in mood and immediately

wrapped her arm around Elodieet

shooting a look at Lily. "Close?

Elodie and I have been best friends for years. She always puts me first." noveldrama