How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Joseph kept quiet, but he couldn't fully disagree with Maurice's take.

Maurice turned to Jarrod, conviction in his voice. "Look, I honestly think Elodie's just competing with Sylvie. Sylvie's into drones, so Elodie pretends to be interested too. Sylvie likes Alexander, so Elodie joins VistaLink Technologies. Bottom line? She just wants your attention!"

He prided himself on understanding women's little games.

A woman starved for love will act up, make a scene-he'd seen it all before.

Jarrod said nothing. At that moment, his phone rang. It was his grandmother. He stood up and stepped outside to take the call.

"Still awake this late, Grandma?"

She snorted. "And you? Shouldn't you be with Elodie right now?"

Jarrod pinched the bridge of his nose. "Got caught up with work."

"Don't give me that!" she snapped. "You think I don't hear the rumors? I know exactly who you've been spending time with lately. Is this how you think a married man should behave?"

Jarrod looked up, sighing. "Who told you that?"

"So you admit it!" she huffed indignantly. "Jarrod! Elodie's a wonderful girl. If you let her down, don't you fear divine retribution?"

He sounded almost amused. "Is it really that serious?"

give me a heart attack,

for a reply, she hung

in his pocket. He opened his messages, stared at Elodie's chat,

already

sleep when the phone rang. Her sleep schedule was

No matter when he called or what he needed, she never snapped or refused, even if she was annoyed. She'd just swallow her feelings, then go

never had to worry about her-she never demanded anything

little

you come back to Silverstein Mansion

herself a

finally going to tell his grandmother

She didn't hesitate. "Sure."

to pick

need. I'll

immediately, no hesitation-almost as if he'd expected her answer and didn't want

didn't dwell on

with his grandmother, a lot of headaches

once she'd wrapped up her

home yet. His grandmother greeted her at the door, immediately

hands back, offering a gentle smile. "Just been busy. Nothing

grandmother still fretted. "I'll have our family doctor look you over, make sure