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.

fruit,

day-just barely hanging on through the dinner party,

take

she trudged upstairs to get some

dreamed again of that night her mother, Winifred,

jolted awake, forehead

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

checked her phone.

Jarrod never

but the weight

"You're awake?"

sounded behind her,

already changed into pajamas, was propped against the headboard, laptop open on

Work? At this hour?

raw and sore. She must have come

she could speak, a string

own computer and reached over to check hers. As his hand brushed the device, Elodie's

up

she... wary of

voice cool. "Hiding state

it lightly,

Elodie didn't answer.

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