How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 788

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.

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