Elodie had no real desire to hear about Jarrod and Sylvie''s romantic escapades. Still, after three years of marriage—even if she''d already let go—it wasn''t as if she could simply shut off all feeling.


    Especially not when Jarrod was now giving Sylvie everything Elodie had once longed for but never received.


    A bitter smirk tugged at her lips.


    She felt a tightness in her chest, and the dull ache in her stomach—which had mercifully stayed quiet the past few days-began to re up again.


    Setting her phone aside, Elodie pressed her palm to her abdomen and leaned forward onto her desk, her slender shoulders trembling as she tried to ride out the pain.


    After a few minutes, she dragged herself over to her bag, fished out her bottle of pills, and swallowed one dry. By then, cold sweat had broken out across her skin.


    She didn''t have the energy to keep working. Instead, she shot off a message to Alexander: "Don''t be surprised if you end up on their wedding guest list."


    Alexander replied, "Honestly, I''d rather go watch monkeys at the circus."


    Elodie popped another painkiller and curled up in bed, hoping sleep would dull the ache.


    As the end of the year approached, Elodie became the thirdrgest shareholder at VistaLink Technologies, which meant a hefty bonusnded in her ount.


    She felt uneasy, given that she''d only recently joined thepany and her team''s project was still in its nning stages. epting such arge sum felt almost dishonest.


    Alexander told her, "Back when everyone thought I was the brains behind the U.N2 project, it was your work that brought in all the big contracts for VistaLink Technologies. Half of thepany''s sess is thanks to you."


    After that, Elodie stopped protesting.


    New Year''s Eve rolled around.


    Esmeralda, ever the queen of fun, decided to give everyone a day off and organize apany-wide celebration. She booked the most popr luxury resort


    in Eldermere—a sprawling ce with every conceivable amenity.


    Elodie hadn''t originally nned to join in; she just didn''t have the stamina to keep up with the rest. But Esmeralda''s relentless persuasion finally wore her down.


    While the others went off to hike the trails, Elodie opted to stay in the hotel lounge, working quietly on drone data for hertest project.


    She settled into a cozy café,ptop open, and lost herself in work for two hours straight.


    Freya, on her way back from the spa, spotted Elodie through the ss and rushed in with a squeal. "Elodie! I had no idea you were here!"


    Looking up, Elodie offered a small smile. "Yeah, thepany''s doing a team event."


    Freya plopped down beside her, eyes shining. "I''ve been meaning to ask you to dinner, and here you are! Want to hang out tonight?"


    Elodie considered it. "Some friends from work might join us. Is that okay?"


    Freya grinned. "The more, the merrier!"


    As she spoke, her gaze drifted to Elodie''sptop-and her jaw dropped in awe. "Are those drone schematics?"


    Elodie''s screen was filled withplex diagrams from recent project meetings. Freya didn''t understand the details, but it was obvious: this was high-level stuff.


    "Are you really into drones?" Elodie asked.


    Freya scratched her head, a little embarrassed. "I just mess around with the hobby drones. I love them, but I don''t really know all that much."


    Elodie''s smile was soft. "What part interests you most? We can talk about it, if you''d like."


    Freya''s eyes sparkled with admiration. She could hear in Elodie''s calm, gentle tone that the offer was sincere-Elodie would be happy to teach her.


    Elodie didn''t find it a bother. She answered every one of Freya''s questions with patient, down-to-earth exnations.


    Several times, Freya found herself staring at Elodie''s delicate profile-cool, refined, and strikingly beautiful. Elodie seemed distant at first, but in conversation, she was warm and open, her words flowing with quiet confidence. There was something maic about her.


    Time slipped by an hour, maybe more.


    When Joseph came looking for them, he paused in surprise at the sight before


    him: Elodie and Freya, deep in conversation,ughter and warmth lingering in the


    air.


    He froze, eyes fixed on the gentle smile that lit up Elodie''s face.


    It struck him, suddenly and with force.


    How had he never noticed before?


    Elodie was undeniably-beautiful.