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

the guesthouse's amenities. There was a riding stable, and guests could go horseback riding with a guide. It sounded like a decent

headed straight for

arrived when she heard a woman's playful voice, "Ivan! Stop nudging

drifted over. "Blame

in

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

gaze darkening, a frown flickering across his face as if

once saying a harsh word. He'd been her first love, the one who'd given

moved on, Ivan was still family-her most important person. Now, he couldn't even muster basic courtesy; his indifference cut deeper than she cared to admit. What was

won his heart. And Ivan—he'd loved her

Had even family ties

to leave quietly, not wanting to

voice called out, "Elodie? You're here too! Come join us for lunch?

Elodie hesitated, surprised. So Queenie

probably knew all about her

anyone seemed to care about her, Jarrod's

already eaten," Elodie replied, her mood plummeting as

glanced after her, then nudged Ivan. "Your sister doesn't look

a grown woman. She'll survive. No need to