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

had shown up-looking intimately connected to

all of it just happened to

it couldn't

Mr. Sterling didn't meet with me today," she said

and Joseph turned toward

Elodie knows Mr. Sterling, then it all

left unsaid. "She's whispered

me as the type to let a pretty

shook her head. "Doesn't matter.

giving her a thumbs-up. "That's

stayed silent, his gaze drifting back to Elodie and

Elodie could feel a sharp gaze fixed on her, but she didn't turn around. She knew it was

his scarf, waved her off before

and easy these

half past nine when Jarrod returned to the

was still on duty and hurried over to take his coat. "Sir, would you

to take care

"Yes," he said curtly.

loosening his tie as he climbed the steps, fingers working at

lit, only the lamp beside the bed

the bathroom just as

eyes. "Has Mrs. Hargrove come home

paused, unsure.

been home these past