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.

walked by, he suddenly asked, "Are you feeling all

froze, her heart skipping

want me to take you to see

noticed how unwell

unwilling to let Jarrod know about

only give him another excuse

surprised her all the

studied her for a moment, straightening his tie. "If my grandmother asks, just

that instant,

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

had already

a pot of nourishing soup. Elodie couldn't bear to let her efforts go to waste,

together?" his grandmother suggested. Jarrod paused and looked

phone call from earlier. "No, thank you, Grandma. I have to go the

glance at Jarrod,

intention of

was heading off to meet

days ago was still fresh; she wasn't

She left with Jarrod.

gone, she watched Jarrod's back as he spoke on the

to his grandmother, being called back to this house again and again would make things awkward for

would

could still visit his grandmother

there was no need to

see Elodie getting into her car and driving away.

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

got a whole bag of tricks lately-classic drama

flatly, "Doesn't matter to

up and pull herself together before heading to the

the whole morning in meetings with Alexander. Their next project was finally taking shape, and if all went well,

as a technical

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

entered the lobby, Elodie immediately noticed

arm,