How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 42

Out of nowhere, Elodie was startled.

She stepped aside quickly.

A girl's anxious voice called from behind her. "I'm so sorry! My drone just malfunctioned and went out of control. Are you hurt?"

Elodie turned to see a teenage girl, maybe sixteen, dressed in a hospital gown. Her doll-like face, pretty and fresh, was full of concern.

Elodie shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

The girl let out a visible sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. I'm not sure what happened—it suddenly stopped responding."

Elodie glanced at the rogue drone hovering nearby, then offered the dessert box she was carrying. "Would you mind if I took a look at it for you?"

The girl's eyes widened in surprise. "Of course not!"

She took the box from Elodie, peeking inside at the small batch of cookies. Her entire face lit up.

Elodie powered down the drone and examined it. "Looks like a navigation system glitch. It's not following the preset route. Let me check if it's a gyroscope or sensor calibration issue."

The girl watched her in awe. "Wow, you really know your stuff!"

Elodie made a few quick adjustments and handed the drone back. "It should be much better now. Want to give it a try?"

The girl launched the drone again, and this time it responded perfectly.

"Freya Delacroix!"

A man's urgent voice rang out behind them. Elodie turned to see Joseph hurrying over, clearly anxious and out of breath.

At the sight of him, Freya instinctively ducked behind Elodie.

Joseph stopped short, surprised to see Elodie. "Ms. Thorne?"

Elodie asked, "You're her…?"

"Brother," Joseph replied, glancing at Freya with obvious relief. "She's my sister. She's not well, and she snuck out of her room. I've been looking everywhere for her. Thank you."

Elodie shook her head. "It's nothing."

Joseph seemed to sense Elodie's unwillingness to linger. Her manner was polite, but distinctly reserved.

He pressed his lips together, not sure what else to say.

"Do you two know each other?" Freya piped up, eyes bright and curious.

At the word "friends," Elodie's brows drew together almost involuntarily.