How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie and Alexander stood together, deep in conversation. Whatever they were discussing, it was impossible to miss the matching scarves wrapped around their necks-clearly a couple's set.

Really, what sort of "just friends" wear matching scarves like that?

From across the room, Jarrod glanced up and watched them.

Elodie reached out and patted Alexander's back, the gesture easy and familiar, their closeness hard to ignore.

Maurice let out a cold laugh. "I really underestimated her. She may not have any real skills, but she's certainly an expert when it comes to men."

Even Joseph frowned, casting Elodie another curious look.

He remembered the way she'd looked at him that day-cold and full of contempt. Compared to the warmth in her eyes when she looked at Alexander, it was obvious she felt very differently about the two men.

"If they're not involved, then how does she even know Alexander?" Maurice muttered, still unable to figure it out.

Alexander's company, VistaLink Technologies, had only just stabilized its footing, but his background was solid and his abilities ranked him at the very top of the field. Someone like Elodie shouldn't even have the chance to cross paths with him, let alone get close.

"Jarrod?" Maurice turned to him.

Jarrod glanced at his watch, his tone indifferent. "I'll take Sylvie home."

Sylvie, lost in thought, lingered a moment.

Jarrod had brought her here tonight to meet the industry's elite, and just by

intimately connected

just happened to unfold

coincidences meant it couldn't

didn't meet with me today,"

and Joseph turned toward her.

calmly, "If Elodie knows Mr. Sterling, then it all

holding a grudge?" Maurice immediately jumped to the implication Sylvie left unsaid. "She's whispered something in Alexander's

a pretty face cloud

"Doesn't matter. My abilities will speak for

giving her a thumbs-up. "That's our Sylvie-nothing if not

his gaze drifting back to Elodie and

gaze fixed on her, but she didn't turn around.

off at his apartment. He'd had a bit to drink and, still wrapped in his scarf, waved her off before heading upstairs.

felt light and easy these

half past nine when Jarrod returned to

hurried over to take his coat. "Sir, would you like me to run

used to

"Yes," he said curtly.

scurried upstairs to prepare the bath. Jarrod followed, loosening his tie as he climbed the steps, fingers working at

only the lamp beside the bed casting a warm glow. He hadn't been home in

exited the bathroom just as he

eyes. "Has Mrs. Hargrove

paused, unsure. "Mrs.

these past