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 that mattered.

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

adventure together. You two enjoy yourselves and try to give me a chubby

could decline, the old lady hung up and started making

fingers to her forehead, feeling a headache coming

thinking. Everyone could see that after three years of marriage, she and Jarrod's relationship was lukewarm at best- especially with no baby, which was

he

healthy; during that week, he'd come to her every night, three times a night, sometimes until

Still, nothing happened.

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

diagnosis of uterine cancer, even

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 was

got into the car

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

lodges. There was a ski resort nearby and, if you woke up early, you could watch the sunrise

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

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

heart skipped; the scene

when he spotted