How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Jarrod set down his fork, barely touching his dinner, and stood up abruptly. "I have something to take care of. You all go ahead and eat."

Without another glance at Elodie, he strode upstairs, his long legs carrying him away in seconds.

Elodie had caught that inscrutable look Jarrod had given her just before he left. She couldn't figure out what it meant, but it left a restless ache in her chest. When did he plan to tell his grandmother the truth?

Across the table, Octavia pouted. "Well, if my brother's not eating, I'm not hungry either." She hopped up, already thinking about her video games, and disappeared to her room.

Elodie stayed at the table, eating quietly and maintaining her composure. What others thought of her was their business, not hers. There was no point tormenting herself over it.

She finished her meal in silence.

When she stood to clear her plate, Jarrod's grandmother caught her hand and sighed, her expression weary but gentle. "Sweetheart, you know how Jarrod is- he's always been that way. I know you've been treated unfairly, but you can trust me, I'm always on your side. I won't let him break your heart, I promise."

Elodie felt a pang of guilt seeing the old woman's worried face. The grandmother had always been kind to her, always hoping they'd work things out and even trying to help Elodie warm Jarrod's cold heart.

But it was pointless now.

He'd given himself-body and soul to another woman. Elodie was done pretending everything was fine. She couldn't force herself to swallow that bitter pill anymore.

ticking time bomb,

because there's something important I need to tell you." Elodie took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I'll ask Jarrod to come downstairs

to meet the old woman's kind eyes any longer and hurried upstairs, her heart pounding as she headed for the bedroom

at the door, composed herself,

needed to have an honest

No response.

knocked again. Still

pushed

his phone's screen, Sylvie's smiling face beamed back at him-the two of them deep in conversation, lost in

in his handsome features vanishing the instant

she met his

knocking?" His voice was expressionless,

their mark. Elodie couldn't pretend she didn't care. She forced herself to meet his eyes, her voice calm but edged with hurt. "Are you accusing me of spying

Like at Mount Serene.

think she was up to her old

Jarrod's brow furrowed.

"What are you doing in my

across the hall and into the guest room, standing guard at the doorway with arms outstretched. "I've got a bunch of homework problems I need my brother to help me with, so he'll be busy all night. You should