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-

floor. Elodie turned, gave

disappear around the corner before

for a long moment, rubbing his temples with a

admit he felt a

found himself wanting to talk to her more. It struck

in Rosemary and Emile's suite, the hotel had delivered a beautiful fruit platter. Rosemary, positively beaming, called Elodie over. "Come have a snack, Elodie. The concierge just told me there's a

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

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

criticize. "Come on, Rosemary, you know how determined Elodie is-she always gives a hundred percent.

the subject. "Dinner's at seven sharp—I've already reserved a table. Why

phase of the trip, agreed at once. "Absolutely!" She nudged Emile, and the two headed

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

at the

called. Lucinda had never truly accepted her, always treating her as if

Elodie hesitated, then answered.

Silverstein," never "Mom," unless there were outsiders present. Now that

was about to