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."

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

her. He handed her a warm paper bag, the scent of roasted chestnuts wafting up. "Your favorite. Have a few

eyes lit up.

to thank me. Just keep looking at me—maybe you'll

kind of laugh that lingered even after the car

Bentley's window rolled down. Joseph watched them drive

cakes for Freya, but hadn't expected to catch a glimpse of Elodie with Alexander-on what was

at anyone like that. It was gentle,

really letting

had watched firsthand how devoted she'd been to Jarrod over the years-how she'd bent over

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

was planning on getting a divorce, Joseph couldn't imagine why Elodie would be spending time with another

busy, because he

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

had changed-same old indifference. Joseph rubbed his brow, then typed: [Never mind. Just ran into

He didn't elaborate.

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

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

with Elodie. How had things gotten to this