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.

off the annoyance. She told herself she didn't

out the guesthouse's amenities. There was a riding

headed straight for the

playful voice, "Ivan! Stop nudging me! Are you trying to

reply drifted over. "Blame the

in

a horse, the man's arm around her waist, one hand

must have been too obvious. Ivan glanced over, his gaze darkening, a frown flickering across his face as

had protected her, treated her as someone precious, never once saying

if she'd moved on, Ivan was still family-her most important person. Now, he couldn't even muster basic courtesy; his indifference

three years with Jarrod and never won his heart.

Had even family ties

leave quietly, not wanting

called out, "Elodie? You're here too! Come join us for lunch? My friend Sylvie and

Queenie. Elodie hesitated, surprised. So

probably knew all about her disastrous marriage by

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

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

look well. Is she sick? Maybe you should check

"She's a grown woman. She'll