How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 168

Elodie figured Jarrod was probably with Sylvie again.

Most days, it never bothered her-whatever he did with Sylvie, she felt nothing, completely indifferent.

But tonight...

She couldn't help herself. Jealousy, or maybe just a restless curiosity, crept in.

When Elodie walked through the front door, her grandmother's face broke into a wide, relieved smile. She hurried over, fussing over Elodie―asking about her day, her appetite, the cold weather outside-before inevitably steering the conversation to Jarrod. "Why didn't he come home with you? What's that boy up to now?"

Elodie lowered her eyes. "I don't know."

Her grandmother looked displeased. Without another word, she grabbed her phone and dialed Jarrod's number.

This time, he picked up.

So—he'd been deliberately ignoring her calls before.

Her grandmother's tone turned stern. "It's after eight. You should be home for dinner."

God knows what he replied, but her grandmother's expression softened a little.

After she hung up, she squeezed Elodie's hand. "We won't wait for him. Let him figure it out himself."

Even if he couldn't make it back right away, Elodie knew Jarrod would eventually come home tonight.

a plate of sliced fruit, but Elodie

hanging on through the dinner party, and now

couldn't take it

trudged

and shallow. She dreamed again of that night her mother, Winifred, died her heart

forehead damp

faint, golden glow, but the room felt cavernous and silent. The loneliness felt like a physical ache-one she'd grown familiar

phone.

Jarrod never come

but the weight of the comforter pressed

"You're awake?"

sounded behind

changed into pajamas, was propped against the headboard, laptop

Work? At this hour?

weak and feverish her body heavy, her throat raw and sore. She must have come down with something in

ask when he'd come home, but before she could speak, a string of

to check hers. As his hand brushed the device, Elodie's face tightened. "I'll get it. You don't need to

paused, picking up on

wary

cool. "Hiding state secrets

it

Elodie didn't answer.