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.

trust

mind buzzed, and suddenly she understood—he was referring to that night their relationship

down her spine; for a moment, she was stunned, almost

up trouble between him and

of us, Mr. Silverstein. You don't need to worry," Elodie replied, meeting his eyes. Her tone left no room for

both

moment longer; in the chilly night air, his expression seemed even

a beat, he

another word, he turned and strode

to call after him, "On the 24th, do you have time? I was hoping you could come for my mother's

have things to do

even wait for her

felt nothing-no anger, no

many

work or suddenly out of town. Even when she'd pleaded for

your heart inevitably grows cold. But this year

the rest of the family were taking this third anniversary seriously. Skipping an ordinary memorial was one thing, but if he missed this formal gathering, the truth

Unless-

grandmother before the anniversary and explain, face to face,

was always busy, always elsewhere. She

returned to

the end, she was nothing more than

Whether he showed

was nothing like

needed something, Jarrod would remember. No matter how busy he

a way-no