How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 873

Esmeralda lifted her chin defiantly, her jaw locked tight. “Let me make this clear—I haven’t changed my mind. I don’t know where you got that idea. These meetings, these arrangements… none of it is up to me. If you’re confused, maybe you should look for the real reason why.”

The words shot out of her, sharp and trembling. Her chest ached, rage threatening to spill over. But she didn’t want to cry in front of Fleming.

She spun on her heel, desperate to get away.

Why had she come back at all, just to be cross-examined by him?

Before she could escape, his hand clamped around her wrist.

Fleming was right behind her now, his grip tightening as she struggled to break free. “Doesn’t matter what you want—calling off the engagement right now is not the way. What would you even tell them? If you’re planning on blaming it on me and Lucy, then don’t bother.”

Esmeralda’s lips trembled.

Lucy. Always Lucy.

That was why he wanted to call off—and now he wouldn’t let her say it because of Lucy too.

All he cared about was shielding Lucy from the fallout.

“Why should I?” she demanded, eyes blazing red. “Why should I be the one smoothing it over for you two? Why do I have to help you get your happy ending? Is that really what I deserve?”

The trouble between them had always been about Lucy. Why should she be the one to hide it?

Fleming looked at her, seeing someone unrecognizable—gone was the gentle girl he’d always known.

She was coming apart at the seams, lashing out, even turning her anger on Lucy.

“You need to calm down,” he said, trying to keep things from spiraling further.

They’d grown up together, and Esmeralda had never been easygoing.

He could give her time to cool off.

“We’ll talk about this when you’re ready to be reasonable.”

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