How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 675

How could Elodie bear it? She loved children so deeply—how could she possibly let go?

“What kind of explanation do you think I owe you?” Elodie lowered her eyes, absently stroking her stomach. “You never considered my feelings before making your decisions, so why should I need your permission now, when it comes to my own body?”

Jarrod flinched as if struck. He stared at her, his voice low and tight. “But this is my child, too.”

“That’s exactly why I don’t want it.” This time, Elodie looked him straight in the eye. It was one of those rare moments when her words were ice-cold, sharp and distant, as if all of this had nothing to do with her. “Jarrod, this is the consequence of your actions. I won’t bring a child into such an unhealthy family.”

Of course, it was just an excuse—something to paper over the real reason, her diagnosis—but it was still true in its own way.

Wasn’t this also a kind of cause and effect?

If he didn’t want her to get pregnant, she’d take pills for him. If he wanted her to have the baby, then she must obey? Was everything subject to his will alone? What gave him that right?

“Is this about you not marrying Ivan anymore?” Jarrod asked suddenly, his gaze never leaving her. “You called off the wedding, and now—out of nowhere—you don’t want this baby, either?”

Elodie’s hand curled into a fist. His words stung; she couldn’t help it.

“You—”

“Let’s go home.” Jarrod cut her off abruptly, starting the car again. He didn’t want to hear another word that would rip him apart from the inside.

The joy he’d felt when he first heard the news was now mirrored by an ache so deep it threatened to hollow him out.

Elodie knew he understood her resolve. She said nothing more.

Jarrod pressed the gas and drove them back to the apartment complex. They went up in silence, Jarrod following her to the door.

At the threshold, Elodie turned. “This is my home.”

He got the message—she wanted him gone.

Jarrod looked down, took her hand, and pressed it to the fingerprint reader. The door clicked open. He pulled her gently inside. “Are you hungry? Let me make you something to eat.”