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 as if

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

off, deciding it

treatment, but Elodie was already starting to feel drained after only a short

area. "Sit here and rest for a bit.

Elodie nodded in agreement.

really wasn't feeling

to mingle on her own, while Elodie glanced at her watch, mentally calculating when she needed to take her medication. She

here?" Ivan's voice was sharp, his frown making it clear she

gaze. "I don't recall needing your permission for anything I

teeth. "Well, look at you, Elodie. Got a bit of backbone

obvious she had

was already leaning down, grabbing her wrist. "Come on. I'll have someone take you

she instinctively tried to pull away. "Let go! You have no right to interfere—I'm

about her being here. It was just a charity

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

eyes. "Ivan, I'm not the little sister who needs your protection and control anymore. I don't need you worrying

their separate ways a

no right to tell her what

second, a flicker of hurt crossed his face,

his expression