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.

his imagination,

Dr. Fergus,

all evening, but never saw anyone

The banquet was over.

out,

had to come up with

went to fetch

outside

dead of January in Eldermere, the cold wind

long down coat, she felt the

She heard voices approaching.

Elodie glanced up—and paused.

with

dismissive, then looked away without so much as

forcing

calm, to the man

him before, but anyone walking out with Naylor had to be

had an undeniable presence-refined features, striking enough to

He noticed her looking.

Their eyes met.

about to look away, the man gave her a polite nod-an acknowledgement of her brief

blinked, a little surprised. She'd assumed that anyone close to

was unexpectedly

A car horn beeped.

up to the curb, snapping Elodie out of her thoughts. She climbed

off, Elodie closed her eyes, but the thought of her mother's wedding ring refused

it. She couldn't