How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Selma was smiling, but there was a cold, glittering pride in her eyes—a sort of hauteur built from wealth and privilege.

Elodie pressed her lips together, her expression cool and distant. She didn't even bother to answer.

How could she possibly greet the woman who'd stabbed her mother in the back and ruined her life with a smile?

Maurice looked annoyed. "When someone older speaks to you, you should at least respond."

Joseph, on the other hand, stayed quiet.

He'd always thought of Elodie as someone who drew clear lines between love and hate. If she ever showed someone her indifference-or worse, her dislike-it was only because they'd earned it.

People like them-Jarrod's so-called friends.

"It's fine, she's always been like this. No harm done." Selma, ever the gracious matriarch, acted as if there was no lingering grudge. "Today's our housewarming party. Would you like to join us?"

Elodie glanced at Jarrod, who stood nearby, his face unreadable.

If not for Jarrod's arrangements, Selma never would have settled back in the country so quickly.

The irony bit at her. After everything Selma had done to her mother, here she was, playing the part of the benevolent elder. To anyone who didn't know better, she could have passed for a kind aunt.

Elodie glanced toward the banquet hall.

and went, all movers

all the stops-her

grandmother or uncle this kind of respect, never given them this sort of grand

wandered to the other gift box in Jarrod's car—no doubt carefully chosen for Sylvie

Elodie's schedule is packed," Esmeralda said, sweeping in with a dramatic roll of her eyes as she linked arms with Elodie. "She doesn't have time

her brows drawing together in

these friends

gave Esmeralda a quick,

his gaze and worried Esmeralda might push

Joseph stared,

were about to say something, Sylvie waved a hand, brushing it all aside with

bravado was nothing but empty bluster—a last-ditch attempt to preserve

Elodie either. She turned to Selma: "Mom, you go

the guests in a bit? I

Jarrod nodded. "Of course."

"Let me help, Aunt Selma. Meeting you will be

her smile returning,

had no desire to linger. She pulled Esmeralda with her and

Elodie's retreating figure, then turned away without a word. Sylvie let out a silent,

was just

staying would only make things more awkward. After all, the guilty party

put her hands on her hips and pretended to gag. "What a performance! Anyone would think Jarrod was her beloved son-in-law!" "And the way those two looked at you as if you're the one intruding on their perfect little family. Jarrod's