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.

Elodie tried to shake off the annoyance. She told herself she didn't care

was a riding stable, and

headed straight for the

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

man's lazy, teasing reply drifted over. "Blame

stopped in

around her waist, one hand holding the reins, the other tilting her

glanced over, his gaze darkening, a frown flickering across his face as if

precious, never once saying a

got into trouble, she'd agreed to 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

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

into nothing? Had even family ties

to leave quietly, not

here too! Come join us for lunch? My friend Sylvie

surprised. So

probably knew all about her disastrous

her, Jarrod's

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

sister doesn't look well. Is she sick? Maybe you should check on

grown woman. She'll