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 herself she

and checking out the guesthouse's amenities. There was a riding stable, and guests could

headed straight

"Ivan! Stop nudging

lazy, teasing reply drifted

in her

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

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

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

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

never won his heart. And Ivan—he'd loved

into nothing? Had even family

turned to leave quietly,

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

surprised. So Queenie knew

probably knew all about

about her, Jarrod's wife,

eaten," Elodie replied, her

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

woman. She'll survive. No need