How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Queenie noticed Elodie and greeted her warmly. "Come join us. After all, we're all family here."

It made sense-technically, Queenie was Elodie's sister-in-law.

Ivan arched an eyebrow. "Well, my wife has spoken. Mr. Sterling, care to join us?"

Alexander glanced at Elodie.

She knew it would be awkward to refuse now, so she nodded at him.

They all took their seats.

Jarrod and Sylvie sat together on one side, Ivan and Queenie practically inseparable beside them. Elodie hesitated for a moment, unsure where to sit. Before she could decide, Mr. Ableson and another executive had already settled across from Ivan's group.

With no other option, Elodie sat opposite Jarrod and Sylvie.

Sylvie glanced at Elodie, her gaze lingering a moment longer than usual.

She had noticed Elodie's thoughtful hesitation. From the moment Elodie changed jobs and started working with Alexander, it had seemed inevitable that their paths would cross with hers and Jarrod's.

Was this Elodie's way of taking the long way around for her own goals?

The heavyweights at the table soon launched into a discussion about technology projects.

Elodie had no intention of joining in. She quietly focused on her meal.

Jarrod and Ivan had only just signed the contract for

details, Jarrod didn't

he trying to nurture Sylvie's growth, or had he already decided that she was his future

restaurant manager himself arrived with specialty drinks prepared

bottles were passed around the

one mango

taste of coconut and reached for

quicker. He placed the mango

"You always remember what I like. You're

Elodie's hand stilled midair.

times she'd adjusted her cooking to suit Jarrod's tastes—whether she cooked herself or Cara did, it was always about

probably never even knew

accurately, whether by choice or indifference, he'd never wanted to

before she finally picked up a bottle of coconut water and set it

last bottle, naturally, went to

for a while until Mr. Ableson suddenly turned to Elodie and Alexander. "Ms. Thorne and Mr. Sterling...are you two together, as in, the way we're

shifted

shot a look at Jarrod but

calmly, "No,

looked surprised. "Oh, I see. My mistake. You two seem

Thorne, you