How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Jarrod's eyes held a hint of mockery. His tone was perfectly neutral, yet there was always something in it that made Elodie feel uneasy.

A sudden flush crept up Elodie's cheeks.

She knew exactly why.

Back then, desperate for Jarrod to get used to her presence and take her seriously as his wife, she'd forced herself to call him "darling" even when it made her cringe. Every other sentence out of her mouth started with that word.

Even when they were intimate, she would murmur it softly against his ear.

Not that it ever mattered.

Jarrod almost never responded to her.

And now, having it laid bare like this, she couldn't help but feel awkward and exposed.

Seeing the change in her expression, Jarrod felt a sense of inevitability. She was still the same Elodie.

No matter how composed she seemed on the surface, she always gave herself away eventually.

He let out a quiet, derisive laugh, then turned away, clearly done with the conversation.

But to Elodie, his attitude was more grating than words.

it didn't matter anymore, since they'd be divorced soon anyway—but before she could, the

stepped out and disappeared down the corridor without so much as a

even get

they were in the car, Esmeralda launched straight into a tirade. "If this deal hadn't been settled last month, I swear, I'd have torn that woman's little façade to shreds!

was one of

But that was then.

had turned into Sylvie's

temples, trying to soothe Esmeralda. "I'm all right. We'll run into each other in business again for sure. VistaLink Technologies isn't some industry behemoth like The Silverstein Group. Making enemies would be a bad

face in public, Jarrod might just retaliate against VistaLink

he'd always

last thing Elodie wanted was for her company

expire-then let's see if that little brat can still act so smug! She thinks she's something special? There's always someone better out there.

posted your photo on my story and the comments section exploded-everyone's asking if you're single, begging me to introduce them. Take a look, see if anyone catches your eye. Time to shine-in love and business! Let

reserved, never one to seek attention, so

noticed her, it was impossible to

faintly. "Jarrod won't care. And I

only goal this morning

her illness, there

wanted to invest her time and strength into

a batch of sweet pastries, and brought

uncle's fees were due

today. When he saw her, his smile was gentle. "It's freezing out—what