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.

She told herself

riding stable,

straight for the

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

man's lazy, teasing reply drifted over.

stopped in her

shared a horse, the man's arm around her waist,

over, his gaze darkening, a frown

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

for Malcom's promise to reduce Ivan's sentence. Even if she'd moved on, Ivan was still family-her most important

won his heart. And

love soured into nothing? Had even family ties faded

turned to leave quietly, not

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

hesitated, surprised. So

knew all about

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

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

look well. Is she sick? Maybe you

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