How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 92

The old woman's appetite had improved a lot; she even finished another half bowl

of soup.

The small pot of soup Elodie had simmered was nearly gone.

Even Jarrod had helped himself to more than a little.

Elodie wasn't surprised-he'd always appreciated her cooking.

After dinner, Jarrod stepped outside to take a call.

Elodie waited a few minutes, then followed him out.

She found him under the porch, smoking. Pulling her coat tighter around herself, she walked over. "Do you have a moment?"

She wanted to talk to him about attending her mother's memorial.

When he saw her coming, Jarrod shifted his cigarette away, then stubbed it out.

"How long have you been out here?" His gaze was sharp, scrutinizing.

Elodie realized what he meant he probably thought she'd overheard his conversation. Was it Sylvie on the line?

"Just now. Right after you hung up," she replied coolly, her chest rising and falling with the chill.

Finally, Jarrod glanced up at her, slipping one hand into his pocket. His tone was casual, almost detached. "I was drunk that night."

Elodie blinked, not following at first.

slowly, almost lazily. "I trust you won't make a fuss about what

she understood—he was referring to that night their relationship had crossed a

of cold crept down her spine; for a moment, she

warning her not to stir up trouble between him and Sylvie, not to

Silverstein. You don't need to worry," Elodie replied, meeting his eyes. Her tone

could both rest

held her gaze for a moment longer; in the chilly night

a beat, he looked

another word, he

call after him, "On the 24th, do you have time?

my schedule. Get some rest. I have things to do tonight," he interrupted, barely glancing back before disappearing down

didn't even wait for her to finish

nothing-no

through this too many times over the past three

always too busy with work or

heart inevitably grows cold. But this year

the family were taking this third anniversary seriously. Skipping an ordinary memorial was one thing,

Unless-

before the anniversary and explain, face to face, that they

was always busy, always

to its

nothing more than a business partner, needing

he showed up depended

nothing

something, Jarrod would remember. No

find a way-no