"Elodie."


    "Elodie."


    Someone gently shook her shoulder. Elodie''s heavy eyelids fluttered open to the chaotic scene of an emergency room hallway.


    An IV needle was still taped to the back of her hand, and the fluid in the drip bag beside her was nearly empty.


    The nurse looked at her. "Elodie, right? The drip is almost finished. I''m going to take the needle out now."


    Elodie rubbed her eyes and nodded.


    She hade down with a sudden feverst night. She was supposed to meet the Silverstein family at City Hall at ten today to register their marriage, but she felt awful. So, she hade to the hospital early this morning for an IV. Since she came in early, it was finishing just in time. It was only nine-thirty; she could still make it.


    The nurse was about to bend down to help her when amotion erupted nearby. An ambnce had arrived, likely from a car ident. The nurse''s expression changed instantly as the head nurse called her over.


    Elodie was left speechless.


    She nced up at the IV bag. Fortunately, there was still a little fluid left. Someone would probablye by to take care of it soon.


    She watched as the level in the bag dropped lower and lower, nearing the bottom.


    Elodie started to feel anxious.


    Just as she was about to get up to find someone, a figure appeared before her, blocking her path and the light.


    He ced a hand gently on her shoulder. "Stay seated."


    Elodie blinked, looking up into a familiar face.


    His features were cool and detached. His gaze swept down,nding on her for a brief moment. "What''s wrong with you?"


    Elodie was surprised to see him here, especially since they had been intimate just a few days ago, an encounter that had ended on a rather unpleasant note.


    Faced with Jarrod''s distant expression, she clenched her hand before answering, "I have a cold."


    "What about you? What are you doing here?" Since they weren''t close, she tried to make small talk to ease the awkwardness.


    Jarrod knelt, his eyes on the back of her hand, a subtle frown creasing his brow. "A friend is in the hospital."


    Elodie understood.


    So it was a coincidence.


    A coincidence on the day they were getting married.


    "Are you afraid of needles?" Jarrod asked without looking up.


    Yes, she was terrified.


    The answer was immediate in her mind.


    But aloud, she said, "It''s okay."


    Hearing this, Jarrod nced up at her, a strange look in his eyes.


    "I''ll take it out for you. Don''t move."


    Elodie doubted his skills but didn''t feel it was her ce to say anything. After all, they were practically... strangers.


    She couldn''t help but feel nervous,


    but Jarrod ignored the emotion in


    her eyes. His movements were swift and precise as he removed the


    needle and pressed a piece of medical tape over the puncture site.


    Elodie was amazed.


    She hadn''t felt a thing, and there was no bleeding.


    He immediately let go and stood up, ncing at his watch. "I just finished visiting my


    friend. It''s time to head to City Hall. Want a ride?"


    Since they had met so coincidentally, Elodie nodded.


    Jarrod gave her pale face another look before turning and walking ahead.


    Elodie noticed he wasn''t walking too fast; she could easily keep up.


    Jarrod''s car was parked just outside the entrance, the engine still running, his driver waiting inside.


    Elodie thought to herself that the driver was quite perceptive, having everything ready in advance.


    Once in the car, Jarrod fell silent, closing his eyes to rest.


    Sitting beside him, Elodie was acutely aware of the subtle scent of fir cologne that clung to him, a sophisticated and stylish fragrance, just like that night.


    She felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.


    She and Jarrod were, at best, family acquaintances. They had very little personal interaction. To suddenly sleep with him and then be thru into a marriet was just awkward.


    so


    As Jarrod remained silent, she didn''t know what to say either, so she stayed quiet


    as well.


    The driver was surprisingly familiar with the route to City Hall, not even needing navigation to get there directly.


    The moment they arrived, Jarrod opened his eyes and got out of the car.


    Elodie, who had been wondering if he was really asleep, quickly followed.


    Jarrod seemed to know the procedure well. After handling the necessary paperwork, they went straight to have their photo taken.


    "Could the new couple move a little closer? And smile, please."


    Elodie knew Jarrod was being forced into this. How could he possibly smile?


    As expected, she heard Jarrod''s indifferent voice. "Just take it like this."


    She didn''t dare look at him, a sense of guilt weighing on her.


    She knew that if the reporters hadn''t cornered them, the Harcourt family would never have been able to align with the Silversteins. Jarrod would have married someone of equal standing, not her.