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.

love the old woman showed her, the

to broach the subject of the divorce,

on Elodie for a moment. He slung his suit jacket casually over his arm, and after spotting her, walked straight to her side. "Grandmother, sorry I'm late. Traffic was

he passed. She subtly shifted away, putting a little more

noticed, but didn't seem to

Elodie. "Eat more, dear. Make an effort this year- by the end of it, maybe you'll have good

hesitated, unsure

his grandmother's plate. "You should try this, it's especially sweet and

him a look, instantly seeing through his attempt to

any younger, and you still aren't ready to

in a faint, noncommittal smile.

down, focusing on

was skilled at

woman insisted Elodie go upstairs to rest. She hadn't planned on staying over, and glanced at Jarrod, hoping he'd offer an excuse for her. But he was absorbed in something on his laptop, completely

Jarrod would leave soon anyway;

visited, Octavia had sent her to the guest room, but tonight, her grandmother personally escorted her to the master suite. Elodie

a shower. Jarrod

probably waiting until his grandmother went to bed so

phone alarm went off, reminding