How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie instinctively glanced at the person beside her.

Suddenly, a strong, warm body pressed against her back, his arms wrapping her in a loose embrace.

His masculine scent overwhelmed her senses, scattering her thoughts.

Startled, she turned her head.

Jarrod was awake, eyes sharp and clear. He reached over her shoulder and took the phone from her hand.

He glanced down at Elodie in his arms, his tone calm. "No."

A pang twisted in Elodie's chest.

She was supposed to be the wife here, so why did she feel like some secret lover, sneaking around to avoid being caught?

Her back was pressed firmly against Jarrod's solid chest, the heat between them rising.

A flush crept up Elodie's cheeks. She struggled to slip out of his embrace.

Jarrod seemed to realize just how compromising their position was. He was the first to pull away, putting some space between them. "I'll call you back later," he said into the phone.

Once he hung up, his gaze shifted to Elodie.

She sat up as well, smoothing her expression into composure. "Sorry, I didn't realize it was your phone."

Jarrod let out a quiet, humorless laugh and moved toward the bathroom. "Then I'd appreciate it if Mrs. Silverstein could avoid that mistake in the future."

Elodie pressed her lips together, understanding the unspoken warning.

He was worried Sylvie would get the wrong idea... or perhaps he suspected she'd done it on purpose?

Elodie frowned, knowing any explanation would sound hollow.

She gathered her clothes, preparing to get ready for the day.

Jarrod emerged just as she was about to pass him. Earlier, when he'd held her, he'd noticed how frail she felt, and now, without makeup, she looked even paler.

suddenly asked,

froze, her

eyed her, uncharacteristically concerned. "Do you want me to take

noticed how

unwilling to let Jarrod know about her illness.

give him another excuse to

concern surprised her all

for a moment, straightening his tie.

that

only cared about keeping up appearances for his grandmother, worried she'd complain

had already returned

let her efforts

why don't you and Elodie leave together?" his grandmother suggested.

you, Grandma. I have to go

at Jarrod, who didn't bother

that he had no intention of going with Elodie, and she was clearly

was heading

stranded on the roadside a few days ago was

She left with Jarrod.

she watched Jarrod's back as he spoke on the phone and

things to his grandmother, being called back to this house again

Jarrod would handle

she could still visit his

there was no need

turned just in time to see Elodie getting into her

the phone, Maurice's voice rang out in surprise. "What's this, Elodie threatening you

bag of tricks lately-classic drama

replied flatly, "Doesn't matter to

freshen up and pull herself together before heading to

next project was finally taking shape, and if all went well, it would launch by the

as a technical consultant for a

a subsidiary of The Jett Group. It wasn't until she arrived that Elodie learned Ivan was

Elodie immediately noticed a group

woman clung to a man's arm, chatting easily with the