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.

the annoyance. She told herself

riding stable, and guests could go

headed straight

heard a woman's playful voice, "Ivan! Stop nudging me! Are you trying

reply drifted

stopped in her

the man's arm around her

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

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

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

years with Jarrod and never won his heart. And Ivan—he'd loved her

soured into nothing? Had even

quietly,

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

Elodie hesitated, surprised. So Queenie knew Sylvie?

about her disastrous marriage

her, Jarrod's wife,

Elodie replied, her mood plummeting as she

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

a grown woman. She'll survive. No need