How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Esmeralda's brows knitted sharply at those words, as if she wanted to say something, but Elodie stopped her with a slight shake of her head.

At the same time, Elodie noticed Sylvie's gaze drifting in her direction. Clearly, Sylvie had overheard what Reba said. With a subtle arch of her brow, Sylvie offered a faint, inscrutable smile before turning to Jarrod and Maurice beside her. "I'll head inside first."

Her effortless poise made Elodie feel all the more flustered and exposed by contrast.

Elodie could guess exactly what Sylvie was thinking. But honestly, it didn't matter anymore. She was done with Jarrod, anyway. Internal strife solved nothing.

Malcom, too, was visibly unsettled. Elodie's relentless outburst had surely left a sour impression on Mr. Silverstein-how was he supposed to continue the conversation now?

With a heavy sigh, Malcom shook his head, as if wounded by Elodie's behavior. He turned to Jarrod and forced a smile. "Mr. Silverstein, let's reschedule. Next time, you must come over for dinner."

Jarrod said nothing, his expression somber and withdrawn.

Malcom's annoyance with Elodie only deepened. Her tantrum had clearly soured Jarrod's mood! Shooting her a disappointed look, Malcom turned and strode away.

Reba, however, seemed to relish Elodie's discomfort. In her eyes, Sylvie really did have the upper hand-stunning, capable, and the moment she appeared, she'd captured all of Jarrod's attention. How could Elodie hope to compete?

With a mocking snort, Reba turned to leave.

met her gaze coolly. "Did we resolve things,

brows furrowing. "Are

to keep her emotions in check, her voice icy. "So,

of uncertainty crossed Reba's

Elodie's wrist. Ivan had appeared from nowhere, his expression unreadable, somewhere between amusement and warning. "That's

suffocated, as if the last taut

free. "Let go

firm. "Reba's my sister too. Can

his sister and the woman he loved

He'd simply changed sides.

necks to watch the commotion, eager

his tongue as he walked inside. "Ms. Harcourt knew when to walk away after rejection; it's a shame some people don't

wrist, Ivan forced a polite smile. "Sorry, Mr. Silverstein.

completely unfazed by the whole scene. He merely glanced their way, deep in thought. Elodie, meanwhile, was subdued-she and Ivan had grown up together, and old habits made

Jarrod walked into the private dining room without a backward glance, completely

did he speak up for Elodie. No one