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.

what the contract spelled out? Boundaries, distance, and nothing

his face giving nothing away.

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 often he found himself hesitating over something

He glanced at Elodie, who had just taken a seat, her profile lit by the soft glow of the chandelier. His eyes

leaned over, voice low. "What did he say to you? Was it

eyes grew sharp for a moment, but she shook her head. "No. Not

explained himself, no matter how deeply he might wound someone; it meant nothing to him, so why would

a sip of his drink and gave a cold, derisive laugh. "Of course. Letting us

but there

more. She was about to check the time when Ivan's

to celebrate Queenie and me tonight," Ivan announced, standing tall and relaxed, voice carrying easily over the crowd. "While you're all having a good time, we'd

of

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