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?"

me a heart attack, you'd better bring Elodie

for a reply, she

a moment, one hand in his pocket. He opened his messages, stared at Elodie's chat,

was already eleven

when the phone rang. Her sleep schedule was always steady rarely

he needed, she never snapped or refused, even if she was annoyed. She'd

worry about her-she never demanded anything

answered, voice a little groggy,

was steady, almost flat. "Can you come back to Silverstein Mansion with

blinked herself a little

he finally going to tell his grandmother about the

She didn't hesitate. "Sure."

me to pick

I'll

hung up immediately, no hesitation-almost as if he'd expected her answer and didn't want to risk a second more of conversation, just in case she tried

dwell

long as they could be honest with his grandmother, a lot

wrapped up her work, Elodie drove out to

grandmother greeted her at the door, immediately taking her hands. "You've lost weight!

gentle smile. "Just been busy. Nothing

fretted. "I'll have our family doctor look you