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.

Ivan had only just signed

so full of confidential details, Jarrod didn't

had he already decided that

restaurant manager himself arrived with specialty drinks prepared

bottles were passed

three left: one

for the taste of coconut and reached for the mango

Jarrod was quicker. He placed the mango juice in

crinkling. "You always remember what I like. You're

Elodie's hand stilled midair.

her cooking to suit Jarrod's tastes—whether she cooked herself or Cara did, it was

even knew her

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

hovered, awkward and uncertain, before she finally picked up a bottle of coconut

bottle, naturally, went to

while until Mr. Ableson suddenly turned to Elodie and Alexander. "Ms. Thorne and Mr. Sterling...are you two together,

eyes shifted to

shot a look at Jarrod

calmly, "No,

"Oh, I see. My mistake. You two

you