How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

"You didn't know?" The old lady immediately caught on that something was off, her tone prickling with irritation. "I booked a two-day getaway for you and Jarrod at Mount Serene just a couple of days ago. Yesterday, I asked Jarrod about it and he said he already gave you the tickets."

Elodie blinked in surprise-Jarrod hadn't mentioned any of this to her.

It couldn't be more obvious: he had no intention of going on a trip with her and had simply lied to appease his grandmother.

"Grandma, it's just that I have something urgent to take care of, so—"

"It's the weekend! What could possibly be so important?" Her grandmother wasn't having it. "Don't you cover for that rascal. Here's what's going to happen: you're going, and I'll call that boy and make sure he gets there too. I've planned everything, so just get a move on."

Elodie tried to protest. "Grandma, actually, Jarrod and I already—"

"What about you two?" The old lady's tone softened, concern replacing annoyance.

It was clear she still didn't know about the divorce. Apparently, Jarrod hadn't told the Silverstein family yet. Otherwise, why would his grandmother bother arranging something like this for the two of them?

Elodie felt a wave of frustration. With Grandma's high blood pressure and weak heart, maybe Jarrod was waiting for the right moment to break the news gently. If Elodie let the truth slip and Grandma couldn't handle it, she'd be the villain.

The papers were signed; the divorce would be official soon enough. There'd be time to let Grandma adjust.

After a moment of deliberation, she caved. "It's nothing, Grandma. I'll head over now. Jarrod told me about it."

Grandma, that was all that mattered.

a car to pick

adventure together. You two enjoy yourselves and try to give me a chubby great-grandchild by the end of the year!"

Elodie could decline, the old lady hung up

pressed her fingers to her forehead, feeling a

baby, which was a hard pill for traditional elders to swallow. That was why, for

rest of the time, he had zero interest

week, he'd come to her every night, three times a night, sometimes until dawn. She could barely

Still, nothing happened.

because of an old injury that made it hard for

with a diagnosis of uterine cancer, even that faint

was nothing if not efficient the driver called her soon after. Elodie simply gave the address of a nearby supermarket, concealing the fact that

into the car without contacting

actually show up to spend the weekend with her. She might as

a ski resort nearby and, if you woke up early,

her suitcase to her room, and was startled to run into

walked side by side, deep in conversation. Sylvie's eyes sparkled as she

heart skipped; the scene hit her

gaze darkened when he spotted