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.

shake off the annoyance. She told

riding stable, and guests could go horseback riding with a guide.

headed straight for the

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

man's lazy, teasing reply drifted over. "Blame the horse, not

stopped in her

man's arm around her waist, one hand holding the reins, the other tilting her chin

Ivan glanced over, his gaze darkening, a

treated her as someone precious, never once saying a harsh word. He'd been her first love, the one who'd given her years

exchange for Malcom's promise to reduce Ivan's sentence. Even if she'd moved on, Ivan was still family-her most important person. Now, he couldn't even muster basic courtesy;

and never won his

love soured into nothing? Had even

leave quietly, not wanting

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

Queenie. Elodie hesitated, surprised. So Queenie knew Sylvie?

about

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

already eaten," Elodie replied, her mood plummeting as she

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

woman. She'll survive. No need