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 it for

mother used to say there were meant to be two companion pieces. Fairview University displayed one, but the other had gone missing years ago and was never

that, even near the end, her mother was still

maybe if she could find it, her mother's

mother's work, lingering on the signature at

and all the longing she'd been bottling up came crashing

swallowed lately rose up too, making her nose sting and her

mother

one left

with her

The sky was already heavy with clouds, and she guessed it'd start raining soon, so she quickened her

moment she reached the gate, rain began to fall in thin,

lifting her bag over

corner of her eye, she saw Jarrod and Sylvie strolling toward her under an umbrella. Jarrod was holding it slightly tilted to keep Sylvie safe

They saw her too.

brow seemed to furrow just a

his mood by bumping into them

course she'd want to show Jarrod around

Elodie's ride arrived.

calm and composed, and ducked into the car, shielding herself

the hotel, she started

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

She dialed his number.