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.

her brow, Elodie tried to shake off the annoyance. She told herself she

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

headed straight for

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

teasing reply drifted over. "Blame the horse,

stopped in her

the man's arm around her waist, one hand holding

glanced over, his gaze darkening, a frown flickering across his

For over a decade, Ivan had protected her, treated her as someone precious, never once saying a harsh word. He'd been her first love, the one who'd given

marry Jarrod in 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; his indifference cut deeper than she cared to admit. What was

with Jarrod and never won

into nothing? Had

quietly,

for lunch? My friend Sylvie and her boyfriend are

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

all about her disastrous marriage

to care about her, Jarrod's

Elodie replied, her mood plummeting

sister doesn't look well.

reacted. "She's a grown woman. She'll survive.