How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 108

As for Mrs. Silverstein's status-

Jarrod had never acknowledged anything, so Elodie certainly wasn't.

Esmeralda felt the day had been a total bust. She suggested they go out for drinks and karaoke-something Elodie used to do all the time as part of her old PR gig. But now, with her health issues, Elodie did her best to avoid alcohol.

Besides, whatever was going on with Jarrod didn't really affect her as much anymore. Things hadn't reached the point where she needed to drown her sorrows in whiskey.

So Esmeralda made plans with other friends, and Elodie drove herself home.

On the way, Alexander called. He asked, in his usual no-nonsense way, how things were going at the gallery. Elodie answered with a vague, noncommittal reply.

"Come over for dinner tomorrow," Alexander said. "Dad's got the day off, and you know how he is-strike while the iron's hot and keep the old man in good spirits."

Elodie considered it. There were still a few challenges with her new project, and she could use Professor Charlie's advice. She agreed.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow," Alexander said.

Elodie replied, "Alright. See you then."

special trip across town to queue up at an old, family-run bakery. She

He handed her a warm paper bag, the scent of roasted chestnuts wafting up.

lit up.

raising an eyebrow with a teasing grin. "No need to thank me. Just keep looking

of laugh that lingered even after the car pulled

window rolled down. Joseph watched them drive off, his expression caught somewhere between surprise and something more

to

years, but he'd never seen her smile at anyone like that. It was gentle, soft, and warm, almost affectionate-nothing like the polite smiles

really letting

it. He and Maurice had watched firsthand how devoted she'd been to Jarrod over

hesitated, then finally sent Jarrod a message: [What's going on

getting a divorce, Joseph couldn't imagine why Elodie would be spending time

because

only then that Joseph realized what he'd done. Why was he

Jarrod's response, nothing had changed-same old indifference. Joseph rubbed his brow, then typed: [Never mind. Just ran

He didn't elaborate.

He didn't ask for details. He didn't reply at all. Joseph shook

only grown colder and more distant toward Elodie. That was why, eventually, both Maurice and Joseph had started to

so fed up with Elodie. How had things gotten to this point? Was