How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 364

Elodie kept her composure, though her pulse slowed almost imperceptibly. She lifted her eyes and met Elias's gaze; he wasn't pressing, not digging for answers or prying where he shouldn't. He had simply asked, as though passing by a window and glancing out of habit.

She nodded lightly. "Yes, he's gone."

And left it at that.

There was no need to explain what she and Jarrod were to each other, nor to urge Elias not to overthink it.

Sometimes, saying more only made things messier.

He'd already seen what he'd seen-no explanation could change that.

Better to let the subject drop entirely.

Elias, for his part, didn't seem surprised. He understood her meaning; she didn't want to talk about Jarrod, and really, that was her business-there was no reason she owed him any details.

"For the next twenty-four hours or so, things might be a little tough for the family," he said, his tone calm and reassuring, the kind of voice that eased the nerves of anxious relatives. "But considering Mr. Thorne's status here, the hospital will have a private nurse assigned to help out."

Elodie nodded, tension finally beginning to ease after so many hours of waiting for the surgery. "Alright. Thank you. I understand."

Elias checked the time, then glanced at Elodie again. He noticed the slight sheen of sweat at her pale neck-probably nerves, or maybe low blood sugar from not eating.

the unopened bottle of fruit smoothie she

she understood his point and managed

reserved as always, then stepped

he rounded the corner in the hallway, his long strides slowed, a flicker

spare moment-had spent an

surgery scheduled

all

had commented on what a perfect pair they made. Elodie herself had seen them together and, by all accounts, she and Jarrod

after that, came Jarrod's so-called “accidental" rescue

couldn't help but wonder if that "accident" had been a

Elodie called Rosemary.

still sleeping peacefully, she finally let out a breath

they couldn't go in. All they could do

they broke up, he'd never

that evening, there was a knock

Eldermere's most renowned catering service stood there,

"I'm sorry, I didn't

person double-checked. "Are you

nodded, still confused. "Yes,

meal.” The delivery person placed