How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 117

Elodie hadn't even spoken yet when Sylvie's voice came through the phone, cool and composed: "Who's this?"

Elodie's words caught in her throat, suddenly dry and impossible to swallow.

Jarrod hadn't saved her number with a name in his phone? So she showed up as just another unknown caller?

She stared down at her feet and asked quietly, "Is Jarrod there?"

"He's right here, but I'm afraid he's too busy for you today," Sylvie replied, her tone unhurried, almost amused.

The calm certainty in Sylvie's voice made it clear: in her eyes, Elodie was just the kind of "other woman" meant to be kept in the shadows, easily dismissed at a moment's notice.

Elodie's brow furrowed.

Before she could reply, she heard Keith's voice in the background: "Ms. Fielding, the bakery called. They're asking if we should deliver the cake now."

Without hesitation, Elodie ended the call.

She stood rooted to the spot, her face pale. After a long moment, she pressed a hand to her abdomen, rubbing gently as a wave of discomfort worsened.

There was nothing left to confirm. Keith was handling the cake, which meant Jarrod had given the instructions himself.

her feelings-not for a moment. He hadn't even tried to show her a shred of

helplessness dragged her down, making it

to gather herself, to force her emotions back into check. When she

trees, stubbed out his cigarette and let out

Silverstein Group.

the desk when Jarrod returned from the conference room. He crossed the office in long strides, glancing at his watch. "You

smiled softly. "I was hoping we could go together. Unless you have other work

even arranged for the celebration to be held at one of Maurice's private resorts, booking the entire place for the night-just to make her mother

together

go ahead. I have

his face, then nodded with her usual gentle

to the stack of files

box and set it carefully by Jarrod's hand. "This is a tie my mother picked

glanced at the tie-a black silk with a subtle red pattern, the red standing

nodded lightly. "Let the driver

Sylvie smiled, satisfied. "Alright."

she'd left, Keith entered. "Mr. Silverstein, I've rescheduled your appointments for today. When would you like

Jarrod's expression, searching for any signs of emotion, but there was nothing out of

Fielding; Elodie's absence wouldn't matter. She'd always been the one to keep her composure,