How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie helped the old woman settle into her chair. "I'll take good care of myself, you don't have to worry."

The old woman's hand moved gently over Elodie's slender wrist, her eyes full of concern. "You call this taking care of yourself? Look how much weight you've lost lately!"

She sighed, thinking ahead as always. "And childbirth takes a toll on a woman's health. If your body's weak and you get pregnant, it'll be even harder on you. Better to start building your strength up now, before it becomes an issue."

Elodie didn't know how to respond.

Her grandmother's heart was still set on her giving the Silverstein family an heir, but that was impossible now...

They were getting divorced.

Even if they weren't, her health wouldn't allow it anymore.

Seeing Elodie's silence, the old woman hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Sweetheart, you and Jarrod have been married three years now and still no baby. Why don't you two go get checked out together one of these days?"

Worried Elodie might take it the wrong way, she quickly added, "Both of you should get checked. If there's a problem, it's better to find out early and get it treated. Isn't that right?"

Her grandmother's traditional values were clear in her expression—a quiet suspicion lingering beneath her gentle concern.

Elodie paused, suddenly understanding her grandmother's worries.

how much love the old woman showed

the subject of the divorce, when a housekeeper appeared in

in, his eyes lingering on Elodie for a moment. He slung his suit jacket casually over his arm, and after

lightly against her as he passed. She

but didn't seem

down at the dinner table, the old woman pushed a plate of freshly shelled lobster toward Elodie. "Eat more, dear. Make an effort this year- by the

hesitated, unsure

his grandmother's plate. "You should try

him a look, instantly seeing

try to distract me! You're not getting any younger, and

a faint,

her head down, focusing on

was skilled

staying over, and glanced at

figuring that Jarrod would leave

time she'd visited, Octavia had sent her to the guest room, but tonight, her grandmother personally escorted

took a shower. Jarrod never

grandmother went to bed so he could spend

went off, reminding her