How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 157

Maurice was the first to notice Elodie. He arched an eyebrow but still offered a greeting. "What a coincidence."

Elodie spared him only a fleeting glance before taking Esmeralda by the arm and steering her away.

Clearly, she had no intention of engaging.

Maurice had never liked her much-his past attitude toward her had always been tinged with contempt. Out of respect for Jarrod, she used to swallow her pride, but now, there was no reason for her to keep up the pretense.

As for Esmeralda, she had even less interest in acknowledging Grady. The two of them ignored the men completely, not even pretending to be polite.

Maurice was a little surprised by this, though not offended.

Elodie's temperament had grown sharper lately.

Was this her new tactic for winning Jarrod over?

On New Year's Eve, she hadn't even bothered bringing them the usual hangover remedy. Jarrod had guessed right after all.

"Don't you think Elodie's gotten a bit arrogant?" Grady muttered, frowning in confusion. "It's like she doesn't even see us anymore."

Maurice found himself at a loss.

Was Elodie just trying a different approach to get attention, or was something else going on?

really had started treating them

so," Maurice said, shaking his head. "She's always been devoted to Jarrod-she wouldn't be stupid enough to deliberately get on our bad side. She's probably just trying some new way to catch

waved it off, deciding it wasn't worth

but Elodie was already starting

was off and steered her to the lounge area. "Sit here and rest for a bit.

Elodie nodded in agreement.

wasn't feeling up to much

Elodie glanced at her watch, mentally calculating when she needed to take her medication. She reached into her purse just as someone

you doing over here?" Ivan's voice was sharp, his frown making it clear

his deep-set gaze. "I don't recall needing your permission

his teeth. "Well, look at

making it obvious she had no interest

grabbing her wrist. "Come on. I'll have someone take

tightened painfully, and Elodie's expression shifted as she instinctively tried to pull away. "Let go! You have no right to

couldn't understand why Ivan was so worked up about her being here. It was just a charity gala-what

with me." Ivan's tone grew dark, edged with warning-his usual mode of

him square in the eyes. "Ivan, I'm not the little sister who needs your

gone their separate ways a long time

had no right to tell her

her perfectly. For a second, a flicker of hurt crossed his face,

recovered, his expression smoothing