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

day off and headed out to the

allergic flare-ups at the slightest provocation. Her skin would break out in itchy,

tried to treat her-doctor or staff

careful, attentive. Over the past three years, she'd tended

Octavia had come

to Jarrod she would never set foot

think

the door, offering her

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

just smiled and kept quiet, heading straight upstairs to

walked in. "Were you crawling here on all fours? What took you so

expression cool, walked over. "Lift your

indifference. "Do you

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

think Elodie should be available on demand, as if her own life and

you eat walnuts?"

scowled, annoyed by how quickly Elodie had

couldn't deny that Elodie was a good person-few women were as meticulous or reliable. For three years, Elodie

Octavia still didn't

better candidates for her brother's wife, and she wasn't

only Elodie would stop competing for the title of Mrs. Silverstein and learn her