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.

found the painting and stood before

say there were meant to be two companion pieces. Fairview University displayed

once told her that, even near the end, her mother was still

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

lingering on the signature at the

all the longing she'd been bottling

lately rose up too, making her nose sting and

mother

one left to confide

her eyes with her fingertips,

guessed it'd start raining soon, so she quickened her pace toward the exit, calling for a ride as she

she reached the gate, rain began to

her face. She hurried, lifting her bag over her head as

and Sylvie strolling toward her under an umbrella. Jarrod was holding it slightly tilted

They saw her too.

met hers, and his brow seemed to furrow just a

mood by bumping into

graduated from Fairview, so of course she'd want to show Jarrod around her mother's

Elodie's ride arrived.

her gaze away, calm and composed, and ducked into the car, shielding herself from

the hotel,

the slightest chill was enough

nap. She had no idea how long she slept. When she woke, sweaty and groggy, she fumbled for her phone. She didn't know when Alexander would be back, but wanted to ask him to

She dialed his number.