How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

The next morning, the housekeeper arrived with Jarrod's younger sister, Octavia.

The girl had just turned seventeen, all long limbs and bright eyes. As soon as she walked in, she tossed her purse onto the couch without a care.

"Where's Elodie Thorne?" Octavia blinked at Jarrod, feigning innocence.

Jarrod finished knotting his tie and glanced her way. "Is that how you address people?"

Octavia pouted. "You don't even like her, so why should I call her my sister-in- law?"

Their mother had said it often enough-Elodie had married up, clinging to the Silverstein family, and ought to devote herself entirely to them. There was a word for that, wasn't there?

A glorified housekeeper?

Jarrod shot her a cold, knowing look. "Alright, out with it. What's your scheme this time?"

Octavia's eyes sparkled. "Aren't you busy today, big brother?"

"And if I am?"

"Mom's at a fashion show, Dad's out of the country, and Grandma's not well enough to come to my parent-teacher meeting." Octavia swung her legs, putting on her best pleading voice. "So let Elodie go. She eats your food, spends your money, and does nothing all day. She's got all the time in the world."

Jarrod hesitated. "You can ask her yourself."

your approval, so she's always extra nice to me. She's the type people warn you about online- calculating, always putting on a show. Just let her know, she won't dare refuse." Lately, Octavia had become obsessed with watching Sylvie's lectures on aerospace engineering from

coat and headed for the door. "Fine. I'll

a pounding headache and a low fever. These days, her body seemed to rebel at the

before, and today she meant to

the time she reached the hospital lobby, her legs felt like jelly. She barely

a few steps before her vision blurred and the floor

"Elodie!"

voice

everything

Elodie woke up, the first thing she saw was her best friend, Esmeralda

mix of worry and irritation. "What the hell has Jarrod been putting you through? The doctor says you collapsed

afraid her secret

brain?" Esmeralda called out,

stopping her. The last thing she needed was Esmeralda broadcasting her illness all over Eldermere-the woman couldn't keep a secret to

you end up here?" Elodie asked,

and landed himself in the ER

a hard look. "But you look awful. Is this because of Jarrod and that mistress

seen the livestream, too. Very few people knew Jarrod was married, and

Disgusting. Both of them.

felt numb, the anger long since burned out. "I'm divorcing him," she said quietly. "Once the waiting period's