How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 144

Lucinda was caught off guard.

She fell silent, turning Elodie's words over in her mind, searching for their deeper meaning.

She knew Elodie's temperament well-always patient, always considerate. Whenever Lucinda asked for something within Elodie's abilities, Elodie rarely refused. That's why, seeing Elodie suddenly stand her ground like this, Lucinda couldn't help but wonder if Elodie had made other plans.

After a moment's hesitation, Lucinda asked, "What's going on? Why didn't you do it? You know perfectly well how much the ladies adore your baking. I specifically asked you to remember and make a few extra batches for gifts each year, didn't 1?"

Every holiday, her circle of friends exchanged little presents an unspoken tradition that kept their social and business ties alive. Elodie's desserts had always been a big hit with them.

For the past few years, Lucinda would have Elodie spend hours baking, packaging up treats to send to each household. They were just some small pastries—time-consuming, yes, but as the Silverstein family's daughter-in-law, wasn't that her duty?

Elodie's gaze remained calm as she looked at the computer screen. "Didn't Jarrod mention I was spending New Year's with my grandmother's family?"

Lucinda's tone was as matter-of-fact as ever.

The truth was, Elodie had never liked it.

just to maintain these connections, she'd shouldered whatever was asked of her, no matter how exhausting. Even if it was only desserts, it still took hours of her time and effort. Every year,

But nobody cared.

figure out how Elodie had changed so much this year. In the past, Elodie had always

that Lucinda really cared what Elodie thought or

All that mattered was-

that look like? Just now, one of my friends was asking for your pastries again. There's still plenty of

not, Lucinda couldn't

Elodie replied,

to drop everything, even on New Year's, to

none of this would have anything to do

took her a while to find her voice

believe Elodie was defying her or talking back-Elodie wouldn't dare. Elodie loved her son and treasured her place as Mrs. Silverstein; she'd always been cautious and eager to

calling me for dinner. Happy New

didn't want to waste

that little episode, Elodie shut

beautifully designed, with a panoramic glass ceiling that offered a stunning view of the city lights and fireworks. The festive spirit was