How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 162

Even though she said all the right things, her eyes never left Elodie, making her intentions perfectly clear-she wanted Elodie to step aside.

Esmeralda wasn't having any of it. She frowned and stood up, arms crossed. "Ms. Jett, if you have something to say, why not just come out with it?"

It couldn't be more obvious—they were all determined to prop up Sylvie. And why? Wasn't it just because Sylvie had Jarrod's backing? If not for him, she'd be nothing but the other woman. What was so special about her?

Queenie hadn't expected Esmeralda to be so blunt and unyielding. For a moment, she looked displeased.

Maurice, biting into an apple, chuckled. "Come on, Ms. Thorne, is it really worth it? Sylvie likes that ring, and suddenly you want it too. She wants to play the piano, and next thing we know, you're signing up for lessons?"

As far as he was concerned, Elodie must have only chosen to perform on the piano after learning Sylvie would be doing the same. It was as if she was determined to go head-to-head with her; as if she was dying to steal Sylvie's spotlight-just to catch Jarrod's attention.

Grady frowned too, thinking Elodie was in way over her head. "Do you even know what Ms. Fielding is capable of? She got her advanced certificate last year and even won an award in competition. This isn't some kids' music class where you can get by playing 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.""

If she had any sense, she'd back down now.

At that moment, Jarrod cast a glance across the room-cool, unreadable.

if none of this mattered to him. But there was something in his eyes-a hint of amusement,

look a husband

pressed her

advanced certificate, and no one else? Elodie passed hers at twelve. She's a natural-has any of you seen real

hung in the

soft, unhurried laugh, her composure unshaken. She looked

at twelve? How come she'd never heard of it? If Elodie was so good, why had she never shown it? Was it because she

and Grady were both shaking

studying Elodie with a thoughtful, inscrutable gaze. There was no skepticism in his expression, nothing to

others might not know, but he did. Elodie really had passed her certificate at twelve. He'd been

"Since there's a conflict, let's get to the point-how

straight to the heart of

knew the truth: they all favored Sylvie only because of Jarrod. No one would say it out loud, of course that would be

unfold, turning a glass of wine in his hand. His dark, striking eyes were fixed on

cigarette. "That's the woman I told you about last time-the one who's always got a move up

lingered on the elegant line of Elodie's neck.