How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

"All right, take care on your way."

Elodie didn't bother to explain why she wasn't leaving with Jarrod.

She knew exactly where he was headed-straight to Sylvie.

There was no way he'd waste his precious time with Sylvie just to give her a ride home.

The next two days passed in silence.

Nothing from Sylvie, and Jarrod didn't reach out to Elodie, either.

She wasn't sure if this meant things were over, but with everything else demanding her attention, she found it impossible to feel at ease.

On Friday morning, Jarrod finally called. His tone was neutral, almost cold. "Octavia's had an allergic reaction again. She refuses to let the staff help and insists you were the only one who didn't make it hurt last time. Could you come take a look at her?"

Elodie pressed her lips together. "...Sure."

Octavia wasn't her responsibility. She could have said no.

But since Jarrod was asking, and this could be seen as a favor, she figured he'd have no reason to hold the gallery situation over her head anymore.

"That painting-"

"Jarrod, what do you think of this dress?" Sylvie's gentle voice floated through from his end of the line.

It was barely past nine in the morning the busiest time of day—and he was out shopping with Sylvie?

The call disconnected abruptly.

was long used to being

day off and

was pampered and sensitive, prone to allergic flare-ups at the slightest provocation. Her skin would break out in itchy, painful rashes, and she'd throw

anyone who tried to

years, she'd tended to Octavia more than a few

come to

of mixed emotion. She'd sworn to Jarrod she would never set foot here again, and yet, here she was, swallowing her pride

probably think

the door, offering her

came over to warm Elodie's hands. "She's upstairs, making a fuss. Only you seem to know how

heading straight

at her the moment she walked in. "Were you crawling here

expression cool, walked over.

Elodie's indifference. "Do you have to

quick glance was all it took. Two dime-sized rashes on her back-nothing

should be available on demand, as if her own life and priorities didn't

eat walnuts?"

annoyed by how quickly Elodie had

a good person-few women were as meticulous or reliable. For three years, Elodie had looked after her with

so what? Octavia still didn't

her brother's wife, and she wasn't

the title of Mrs. Silverstein and learn her place,