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."

all

one step ahead: "I'll send a car to pick you

give me a chubby great-grandchild by the

decline, the old lady hung up and started

her fingers to her forehead, feeling a headache coming

that after three years of marriage, she and Jarrod's relationship was lukewarm at best- especially with no baby, which was a hard pill for traditional elders to swallow. That was why, for

time, he had zero interest in

during that week, he'd come to her every night, three times

Still, nothing happened.

injury that made it hard for her to conceive. She figured with treatment, it might work

a diagnosis of uterine cancer, even that faint hope had

driver called her soon after. Elodie simply gave the address of a nearby supermarket, concealing the fact that she and Jarrod no longer lived together. She didn't know what Jarrod's plan

the car without contacting

the weekend with her. She might as well go by herself, put in an appearance for Grandma, and maybe even enjoy a little peace and

high ridge, dotted with cozy lodges. There was a ski resort nearby and, if

her room, and was startled to run into two people returning

side, deep in

scene hit her like

darkened when he spotted