Elodie returned home.


    She unpacked everything from her bag,ying it all out on the table.


    Sitting right on top was the share transfer agreement for Nexus Analytics.


    Jarrod had always been generous when it came to this sort of thing. With a contract like this, she''d be earning millions in dividends every year. Even if she decided to do nothing but indulge herself for the rest of her life, she''d never have to worry about money.


    He''d suddenly handed over shares in Nexus Analytics to her.


    Elodie just chalked it up to him wanting to give her a bit morepensation.


    She put all the paperwork neatly into the cab, then picked up her divorce certificate and snapped a photo of it before opening the drawer to put it away. But then her eyesnded on a small keepsake inside.


    It was a fertility charm, given to her and Jarrod at her great-aunt''s grandson''s christening. She''d tucked it away and forgotten about it.


    Her fingers brushed over it. The lightness she''d felt after the divorce now gave way to a strange, bittersweet ache.


    Almost unconsciously, she rested her hand on her abdomen.


    In two months, she''d be undergoing a total hysterectomy-after that, she''d never have the chance to have a child.


    It was a fact she''de to ept. There was no choice.


    Elodie stared at the little charm for a long time.


    Finally, she traced it gently with her fingers, then ced both the divorce certificate and the charm back into the drawer.


    She supposed it would serve as a kind of memento.


    She messaged her friends'' group chat, letting them know the divorce was official.


    Esmeralda was the most exuberant, flooding the chat with a string of celebratory messages.


    Alexander, ever the peacekeeper, waited until themotion died down before adding, "Drinks on me tonight-to celebrate your escape from purgatory."


    Elodie smiled.


    She replied with a simple "Sounds good," theny down to rest for a bit.


    Soon enough, it was time to go.


    With some effort, Elodie got up and headed to the café Joseph had chosen.


    He''d texted her the address: "No rush, take your time. He''s a good guy just chat, see how you feel about him."


    The café was near Global Trade za.


    Elodie sent back a thank you.


    Emile''s situation wasplicated; whether things would work out depended on whether the other party was willing to take it on.


    When she arrived, Joseph was already waiting outside.


    Elodie walked over, a bit puzzled. "Why are you standing out here?"


    Joseph caught her confusion, his hand curling at his side. He offered a faint smile.


    "Just needed some fresh air. Come on, I''ll take you upstairs."


    Elodie didn''t think much of it.


    She nodded and followed him up to the second floor.


    It wasn''t until she saw the man waiting at the table that she paused in surprise.


    He, too, seemed a little taken aback when he saw her.


    Still, he kept hisposure and stood up, giving a polite nod. "Ms. Thorne." Elodie approached. "Mr. Warwick?"


    She hadn''t expected Joseph''s contact to be Elias.


    She''d seen Elias before, at the Warwick family''s anniversary dinner, but they''d never been introduced. The ce had been packed, and there hadn''t been a chance to meet.


    "Elias is a doctor," Joseph exined, stepping in as the facilitator. "He''s young, but he''s good. He spent a year with Doctors Without Borders, he''s dealt with all kinds ofplex cases, and he''s well-regarded internationally. These days, he specializes in oncology."


    He was worried Elodie might be hesitant about trusting a young doctor.


    It was his way of reassuring her.


    But Elodie wasn''t the type for snap judgments. Her expression was calm and serene. "I know. Thank you for making time to meet with me today, Mr. Warwick."


    Elias studied Elodie for a moment.


    Her eyes were unusually clear andposed, giving her an air of distance, but there was a quiet frankness to her as well.


    He was reminded of the family dinner.


    Naylor had gotten into an argument with her.


    Even then, he''d noticed-she seemed gentle on the surface, but she had a backbone.


    "No need to thank me," Elias replied, his strikingly handsome face showing not


    the slightest hint of arrogance. “Joseph''s been trying to set this up for a while. I''m sorry for the dy-thest few weeks have been busy, between research projects and the family celebration."