How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

It was obvious now-Jarrod and his group had come out here to celebrate New Year's Eve with Joseph.

Elodie finally understood why Jarrod had turned down his grandmother's

suggestion to come out for the festivities together. He'd already made plans with Sylvie.

Sylvie, in Jarrod's eyes, was always his top priority.

No one understood this better than Elodie.

Alexander could hear the edge in Octavia's voice, but he simply glanced over at Jarrod. "Mr. Silverstein, what a coincidence. We're here for a team retreat, and you all happened to pick the same spot."

His tone was light-making it clear that Elodie hadn't crashed their plans on purpose.

After all, this was their company outing. It was pure chance the groups had run into each other. Was Elodie really to blame?

Jarrod looked up. "We decided to come last minute, actually. Really is quite the coincidence."

"Who knows if Elodie didn't just drag everyone here as an excuse..." Octavia muttered.

Maurice let out a short laugh. "Easy, sis. You're being a bit too sharp-you'll leave everyone with no way to save face."

exactly buy

the other hand, seemed entirely unbothered. She greeted Alexander with

graceful smile. Yet

greeting with a polite, insincere smile. "Ms. Fielding, with the

his implication. Still, she saw no need to argue. She was certain her own accomplishments would change his

Elodie—who seemed completely detached from the

She didn't even bother responding to Octavia, but instead turned to Alexander. "Did we reserve a spot

that Esmeralda had handled all the

unruffled Elodie was by her barbs, only grew more agitated.

Joseph from the tents, spotted Elodie's group. "Hey, come join us! There's

Elodie hesitated.

an eyebrow, watching her with a trace of

woman, and a crowd of friends and family all rooting for the mistress's rise... It was quite the

Elodie hadn't wanted to join them for dinner at all

grabbing her hand. "Come on, you have to sit

protest, Freya had guided her to a

directly across from Jarrod, their eyes

hesitated, but in the end, decided