How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 167

Elodie's breath caught, and she shot Ivan a sharp look.

Her gaze shifted to Jarrod, who stood off to the side, his expression as distant as ever. Whatever had just passed between her and Ivan, Jarrod couldn't have cared less.

But Elodie noticed-perhaps it was the word "wife" that Ivan had just used.

For the briefest moment, Jarrod's brow twitched.

Before he could speak, his phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen: Sylvie calling. He answered, his whole demeanor softening. "Yeah, I'll be home soon."

The change in his face, the gentle tone in his voice-it was impossible for Elodie not to notice.

He didn't bother responding to Ivan. Just gave him a curt nod, then looked at Elodie for a fleeting second before striding away with long, purposeful steps.

As if Elodie had never meant a thing to him.

She didn't need to guess who had called. Only Sylvie could make him drop his guard like that.

Elodie slowly looked away. Standing at the center of it all, no one felt Jarrod and Ivan's thinly veiled mockery more acutely than she did.

After the way Ivan had spoken to her, the last ember of hope for his help flickered out.

Without another word, Elodie turned and left.

Ivan stayed where he was, watching her walk away.

So slight, so fragile-she looked as if a gust of wind could shatter her.

He scowled suddenly, dragging hard on his cigarette, forcing down a strange, uneasy feeling in his chest.

was just his

never got to meet Dr. Fergus, the specialist flown in from

on the crowd all evening, but never

The banquet was over.

were trickling out, one by

to come

to fetch

outside the

the dead of January in Eldermere, the cold

long down coat, she felt the chill

She heard voices approaching.

Elodie glanced up—and paused.

emerged from the hall with a young

his eyes cool and dismissive, then looked away without

of forcing a

calm, to the

but anyone walking out with Naylor had to be from the

undeniable presence-refined features, striking enough to draw

He noticed her looking.

Their eyes met.

away, the man gave her a polite nod-an acknowledgement of

little surprised. She'd assumed that anyone close to Naylor would treat

was unexpectedly courteous, almost

A car horn beeped.

snapping Elodie out of her thoughts. She climbed into the car, letting the small encounter slip from her

they drove off, Elodie closed her eyes, but the thought

She couldn't