How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 284

Elodie could feel the strength in the hand gripping her wrist-there was a

forcefulness beneath Jarrod's calm, almost teasing voice, a quiet dominance she

could not ignore.

She hated it.

Her reaction was even sharper than before. With a sudden jerk, she yanked her wrist free, shaking off the lingering heat of his touch. Not bothering with subtlety, she pulled off her blindfold and met Jarrod's cool, inscrutable gaze.

"This is how it's always been between us in public, isn't it?" Elodie's words were polite but her eyes betrayed a flicker of annoyance she struggled to hide. "Mr. Silverstein, we have no chemistry. Let's just drop this game."

Jarrod's expression didn't register a single emotion. Elodie didn't care. She turned on her heel and walked away, moving toward the edge of the crowd.

As for Jarrod's question—she almost wanted to laugh. For years, whenever they crossed paths in public, he'd acted as though she didn't exist: distant, aloof, a stranger in every sense. Now he dared to put the ball in her court? Please.

contract spelled out? Boundaries, distance,

retreat in silence, his face giving nothing away. Then he turned and made his

He lowered his gaze, deep in thought, then started to cross the room toward her. He still hadn't asked for her number, and now he wondered if doing so directly might put her on the spot or make her uncomfortable. It wasn't

her profile lit by the soft glow of the chandelier. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully; he'd take the call first

had barely settled in when Alexander leaned over, voice low. "What did he say to you?

sharp for a moment, but she shook

deeply he might wound someone;

a sip of his drink and gave a cold, derisive laugh. "Of course. Letting us take the fall and not even owning up to it.

it well, but there was no denying

time when Ivan's

schedules to celebrate Queenie and me tonight," Ivan announced, standing tall and relaxed, voice carrying easily over the crowd. "While you're

expression that of any casual

Queenie close, his smile slow and easy. "Queenie's pregnant. So today, we