How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

So this was what truly mattered to Ivan.

His concern for her had nothing to do with old feelings; he was only worried because The Silverstein Group was about to partner with them.

In Ivan's eyes, she was still, after all, Mrs. Harcourt. If she didn't know how to play

her part, and Jarrod took offense, it could cause quite a ripple.

Elodie looked at him quietly. "Is that all you wanted to say to me?"

"No," Ivan stubbed out his cigarette and met her eyes. "Queenie doesn't know about our past. I'd appreciate it if you got along with her."

Was that a warning to keep her mouth shut?

Elodie almost laughed.

Everything that had happened today left her feeling raw, an ache rising in her chest.

"Brother," she said with a calm, almost distant tone, "if she's ever curious about how you came to be my brother, maybe I'll chat with her. But is there really anything else left between us?"

Ivan's brow furrowed.

faint, knowing smile played at his lips. "You really have grown up, Elodie. There was a time when everyone in the Harcourt family

her crush on him was no secret to

she could tuck those feelings away, and he admired

know you're his wife, and it's best you don't make that public. It would just put Sylvie in an awkward

wants?" Elodie lifted

turned to leave,

biting at her skin. Elodie drew a deep breath and

he just stood by as she sunk deeper, telling her not to

Ivan returned, Jarrod and the others were chatting as if nothing had

at Jarrod and Sylvie. In truth, running into Jarrod at Mount Serene had been pure chance. From this encounter, he'd learned that Sylvie and Queenie were close-they'd

a lucky man, beautiful woman at your side. Any plans to tie the

and Elodie were supposed to be siblings, watched him

but he didn't care. Instead, he offered his best wishes to Sylvie

understood men better than

set down his teacup, his

smiled graciously. "My dad's

your blessing, Mr. Silverstein, I promise you'll be the first to

Octavia was