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.

movers and shakers from

all the stops-her event was

in all their years together, Jarrod had never shown Elodie's grandmother or uncle this kind of respect, never given them this sort of grand

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

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

brows drawing together

were these friends Elodie surrounded herself

Esmeralda a

and worried Esmeralda might push things too far,

and Joseph

something, Sylvie waved a hand, brushing it all

bravado was nothing but

either. She turned to Selma: "Mom, you

finally looked at Jarrod. "Jarrod, would you introduce me to the guests in a bit?

Jarrod nodded. "Of course."

Aunt Selma. Meeting you will be an

brightened, her smile returning,

She pulled Esmeralda with her

retreating figure, then turned away without a word.

just making her

only make things more awkward. After all,

"And the way those two looked at you as if you're the one intruding on