How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

"No need. I'm leaving," Elodie said, her patience worn thin. She had no interest in sticking around and being a third wheel.

But as she turned to go, a warm hand closed firmly around her wrist. Jarrod's gaze was cool, almost indifferent. "You stay. I'll switch rooms."

Elodie frowned, about to wrench free, but Jarrod released her first, deliberately widening the distance between them. "If you leave now, it'll be hard to explain things to my grandmother."

So that's what this was about. Elodie stared at him, incredulous. "You want me to cover for you with Sylvie? Make it easier to lie to your grandmother?"

What exactly did he take her for?

Jarrod met her eyes, adjusting his cufflinks with practiced calm. "If you hadn't come, none of this trouble would've happened."

A tight knot formed in Elodie's chest. So it was her fault, then?

Pressing her lips together, she forced herself to stay composed. "Fine. But you approve my resignation-immediately."

Jarrod's dark eyes narrowed slightly, a faint, ambiguous smirk touching his lips. "That's acceptable."

Elodie couldn't make sense of that smile.

She turned and walked straight back to her room.

No wonder Jarrod hadn't told her about coming to Mount Serene he'd brought Sylvie here for a romantic getaway. If she'd known, she never would have come.

to shake off the annoyance. She told

out the guesthouse's amenities. There was a riding stable, and guests could go horseback riding with a guide.

headed straight for

woman's playful voice, "Ivan! Stop nudging me! Are you trying to be fresh or

lazy, teasing reply drifted over. "Blame

in her

up, dazed. A man and woman shared a horse, the man's arm around her waist, one hand holding the

obvious. Ivan glanced over, his gaze darkening, a frown flickering across his

never once

ago, when Ivan got into trouble, she'd agreed to marry Jarrod in exchange for Malcom's promise to reduce Ivan's sentence. Even if she'd moved on, Ivan was still

three years with Jarrod and never won his heart. And Ivan—he'd loved her once, hadn't

Had even

quietly, not wanting to

You're here too! Come join us for lunch? My friend Sylvie and her

Elodie hesitated, surprised. So Queenie

probably knew all about her disastrous marriage by

to care about her, Jarrod's wife, and how she was holding

I've already eaten," Elodie replied, her mood plummeting as

glanced after her, then nudged Ivan. "Your sister doesn't look well. Is she sick? Maybe you should check on

reacted. "She's a grown woman. She'll survive. No need