How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 221

The old woman glanced between the two of them, then strode over and gave Jarrod Silverstein a sharp smack on the arm. "You stubborn boy, why aren't you even talking to Elodie? When are you going to fix that attitude of yours?"

She'd noticed, of course-ever since Jarrod walked in the door, his attention had been glued to a pile of books, as if they were more interesting than Elodie Thorne ever could be.

Maurice Nilsson, overhearing from the phone, chimed in with a teasing laugh, "He's just afraid if you show Ms. Thorne a little kindness, she'll get ideas and won't want to leave. Women, you know..."

"They're all soft-hearted in the end."

Especially a woman like Elodie, still so deeply in love with Jarrod.

Jarrod ignored Maurice's comment and pretended not to hear, ending the call without a word.

"What are you waiting for? Go drive Elodie to work," the old woman insisted, unwilling to let Elodie walk alone. She grabbed Jarrod by the arm and marched him toward the door.

Elodie had just closed the trunk and spoke calmly, "Grandma, it's all right. Really, there's no need to trouble anyone."

offered a cool half-smile and

mid-step for just a moment. Her brow furrowed so slightly it

almost admired Jarrod's ability

Jarrod didn't want to do something, he always made it seem like she was the one

drove home, carrying her flowers inside. She'd tended these flowers for years. Back when she lived with the Harcourt family, Reba Harcourt had always complained about allergies, insisting Elodie give them up, while Malcom Harcourt, ever doting on his younger daughter, had urged Elodie not to be selfish and to think of

death, and finally to that unspeakable night with

Ivan Harcourt who'd arranged for her to have a little balcony greenhouse, preserving these few personal

control over their home-she could do as she pleased. Not that he was ever around to notice or

checked the soil moisture and the health of the leaves, making sure everything was thriving before she started packing for her trip

of promise. It would give her a valuable edge for

morning, Alexander Sterling pulled up to drive her to the airport. They

the airport, Alexander went to handle their boarding passes. When he returned, Elodie noticed Sylvie Fielding across the terminal, dressed in a tailored trench coat and heels. Keith, Jarrod's executive assistant, was with her, clearly there to see her off. Sylvie spotted Alexander, gave him a composed nod, and then swept upstairs without so

of his rank to escort Sylvie,