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.

by, he suddenly asked, "Are

froze, her heart skipping

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

noticed

let Jarrod know

would only give him another excuse to justify his

concern surprised her all the

her for a moment, straightening his

in that

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

grandmother had already returned

couldn't bear to let her efforts go to waste, so she forced herself to drink some, even though she

his grandmother suggested.

you, Grandma.

a glance at Jarrod, who didn't bother to

that he had no intention of going with Elodie,

heading off

the roadside a few days ago was still fresh; she wasn't about to risk a

She left with Jarrod.

making sure the housekeeper and his grandmother were gone, she watched Jarrod's back as he spoke on the phone and said, "I'll be really busy from now on. I won't

called back to this house again and again would make things awkward

Jarrod would

could still visit his grandmother

no need

to see Elodie getting into her car and driving away.

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

a whole bag of tricks lately-classic drama

"Doesn't matter

freshen up and

with Alexander. Their next project was finally taking shape, and if all went well, it would launch by the end of

brought Elodie along as a technical

a subsidiary of The Jett Group. It wasn't until she

Elodie immediately noticed

clung to a man's arm,