How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 143

He'd always looked at her through tinted lenses.

But now...

Joseph found himself studying Elodie's expression again.

Her face was calm as frost, utterly devoid of emotion. The polite warmth she once showed them was gone, replaced by a chill that kept everyone at arm's length.

Elodie... wasn't the same.

"I'm staying with my grandmother," Elodie answered simply, not bothering to explain further.

Joseph was a little surprised, but he could tell she had no intention of chatting.

As for the reason behind her attitude...

He understood. He really did.

Ding-

Elodie turned, gave Joseph a polite nod, and

around the corner before the

a long moment, rubbing his temples with a wry

to admit he

acknowledged him, yet he found himself wanting to talk to her more. It struck him, suddenly, that

the hotel had delivered a beautiful fruit platter. Rosemary, positively beaming, called Elodie over. "Come have a snack, Elodie. The concierge just told

already holding out a forkful of kiwi for her. She took a bite and then replied, "Depends how long these reports take. You

gave her a mock scold. "Working even on New Year's Eve? Honestly,

smiled, unwilling to criticize. "Come on, Rosemary, you know how determined Elodie is-she always gives a hundred percent. If this is what she wants, we should support

already reserved a table. Why don't

still in the honeymoon phase of the trip, agreed at once. "Absolutely!"

chance to tidy up her last bit of work. At last, the sound of her phone

at the screen.

had never truly accepted her, always treating her as

Elodie hesitated, then answered.

never "Mom," unless there were outsiders present. Now that she and Jarrod were divorced,

was about