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

the other hand, seemed entirely unbothered. She greeted Alexander with cool composure, "Mr. Sterling, fancy meeting

her eyes firmly off Elodie, maintaining her signature graceful smile. Yet behind that warmth was a pride

scene. He simply returned her greeting with a polite, insincere smile. "Ms. Fielding, with the people you

no need to argue. She was certain her own accomplishments would

seemed completely detached from the drama-stood up and headed toward the

about her, Elodie merely drew her gaze away. She didn't even bother responding to Octavia, but instead turned to Alexander. "Did we

had handled all the arrangements.

Elodie was by her barbs, only grew more agitated. What was Elodie playing

over by Joseph from the tents, spotted Elodie's group. "Hey, come join us! There's loads of space here—we can just push

Elodie hesitated.

arched an eyebrow, watching her with a trace

crowd of friends and family all rooting for the

was, Elodie hadn't wanted to join them for dinner at all when she

was already dashing over, grabbing her hand. "Come on, you have

could protest, Freya had guided her to a

found herself sitting directly across from Jarrod,

but in the end, decided not to make