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?"

to give me a heart attack,

for a reply, she hung

one hand in his pocket. He opened his messages,

already

sleep schedule

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 back to

about her-she never demanded anything from

voice a little groggy, "Is something

you

blinked herself a little more

going to tell his grandmother about

She didn't hesitate. "Sure."

to pick

I'll

hesitation-almost as if he'd expected her answer and didn't want to risk a second more of conversation, just

dwell on

could be honest with his grandmother, a

once she'd wrapped up her work,

at the door,

back, offering a gentle smile. "Just been

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