How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

As soon as Elodie left, Maurice noticed immediately. "Why did she just leave like that?"

Jarrod glanced in her direction, spotting the untouched plate of food.

"Wow, some people really don't know how to appreciate kindness," Maurice said, shaking his head with a bored sigh. "She acts like she's doing us a favor just by being here."

Sylvie, however, kept quiet.

Of course she understood what was going on in Elodie's mind.

It was just pride-feeling slighted, thinking Jarrod was playing favorites. She was upset, and her wounded ego wouldn't let her stay any longer.

Sylvie glanced at Jarrod.

He'd already turned away, clearly not giving it a second thought.

She curled her lips into a faint smile. "When we're done eating, will you come for a walk with me?"

Jarrod nodded. "Sure."

It was Elodie's first time in Fairview Crossing, though her mother had gone to college here. On a whim, she decided to visit her mom's old campus.

She'd made a reservation ahead of time, so once she got through the gates, she wandered for a while.

Fairview University was one of the country's top art schools; her mother had studied oil painting here. Back in her day, she'd been the top student on the national entrance exam, and one of her paintings still hung in the university's gallery.

and stood before

were meant to be two companion pieces. Fairview University displayed one, but the other had gone

even near the end, her

if she could find it, her mother's spirit would be at

at her mother's work, lingering on the signature at

and all the longing she'd been bottling

too, making her nose sting

her mother was

was no one left to

her eyes with her fingertips, then slowly turned

already heavy with clouds, and she guessed it'd start raining soon, so she

she reached the gate, rain began to fall in

hurried, lifting her bag

Jarrod and Sylvie strolling toward her under an umbrella. Jarrod was

They saw her too.

gaze met hers, and his brow seemed to furrow

thought she was ruining his mood by

so of course she'd want to

Elodie's ride arrived.

composed, and ducked into the car,

hotel, she

been robust; the slightest chill was enough to

woke, sweaty and groggy, she fumbled for

She dialed his number.