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, you'd

for a reply,

He opened his messages, stared at

already

off to sleep when the phone rang. Her sleep schedule

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 right

worry about her-she never demanded anything from

answered, voice a little groggy, "Is something

almost flat. "Can you come back to

blinked herself a

to Silverstein Mansion? Was he finally going to

She didn't hesitate. "Sure."

me to pick

need. I'll

want to risk a second more of

didn't dwell on

as they could be honest with his grandmother, a

evening, once she'd wrapped up her work, Elodie drove out to

door, immediately taking her hands. "You've lost weight!

offering a gentle smile. "Just

our family doctor look you over, make sure you're