How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 320

Jarrod's voice was steady, not the slightest hint of emotion betraying him.

Still, every word landed with perfect clarity in Elodie's ears.

For a moment, she was so taken aback she just stood there, frozen.

Out in the hallway, a nurse stared in surprise at the striking, well-dressed man before her. A few of the younger nurses couldn't help but sneak glances his way.

Jarrod lowered his gaze to meet the nurse's eyes. "I need to speak with the doctor who was here yesterday. Do you know what time they'll be in today?"

The ER doctors here worked in shifts, and when things got busy, they were nearly impossible to track down.

He still had no idea what, exactly, was going on with Elodie.

The nurse started to reply, but just then, the door swung open.

Elodie stood in the doorway, pale and visibly irritated. Her expression was cold, almost sharp.

Her gaze locked on Jarrod. He glanced down at her, cool and collected. "Awake? Are you still feeling unwell anywhere?"

He spoke first, his tone calm as ever, eyes sweeping over her in a clinical assessment.

Whatever accusation Elodie had been about to blurt out caught in her throat.

She'd wanted to demand why he'd told everyone he was her "husband."

But then she noticed the phone in Jarrod's hand, the screen still lit up with an active call-labeled "Grandma."

At that moment, he was still on the phone with his grandmother.

Suddenly, it all made sense. He'd said what he did because his grandmother had called for an update, and the nurse had just happened to ask about their relationship.

So that's why he answered that way.

Elodie pressed her lips together, her face still a little pale. "I'm much better now."

On the other end, the elderly woman's concern was obvious, her voice warm and worried.

best to reassure

Finally, the call ended.

expression vanished. She didn't look at Jarrod, but addressed the nurse instead. "I'm fine now.

as an afterthought: "He's not my

was clarifying for,

turned and disappeared back into her

casting a bewildered

remained utterly calm,

his pocket and followed her into the

leaned against the wall, watching her with the kind of mild concern one might show an acquaintance. "Aren't you going to talk to the doctor again before you

lingered on her face. "You still look

glanced up, meeting his deep, unreadable eyes. "Mr.

in time, but from now on, please don't say anything that

direct, no

A clear boundary.

A reminder.

They were divorced now.

not once had Jarrod called himself her husband.

was the seriousness in her expression that made Jarrod

cool and detached. "Pack

press

a silent understanding between them; he wouldn't

back. "That

Jarrod didn't argue.

as his footsteps faded

herself together quickly,

much pain she endured, she always

out and paying her bills, Elodie headed

not far from the hospital entrance, a cigarette between his fingers. He hadn't left. Sensing her gaze, he

frowned, just the slightest furrow of

out the barely-smoked cigarette and walked over. "Do you have a

Elodie looked away. "Yes."

"Alright."