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.

went, all movers and

out all the stops-her event was the talk of

all their years together, Jarrod had never shown Elodie's grandmother or uncle

other gift box in Jarrod's car—no doubt

sweeping in with a dramatic roll of her eyes as

smile faltered, her brows drawing together in

friends Elodie

gave Esmeralda a quick, inscrutable

might push things too far, Elodie tugged her

Joseph stared,

Sylvie waved a hand, brushing it all aside

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

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

at Jarrod. "Jarrod, would you introduce me to the guests in a bit? I don't

Jarrod nodded. "Of course."

followed after her. "Let me help, Aunt Selma. Meeting you will

mood brightened, her smile returning, radiant and

no desire to linger. She pulled Esmeralda

away without a word. Sylvie let out

just making her

knew perfectly well that staying would only make things more awkward. After all, the guilty

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 really given them all the confidence in