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.

fruit smoothie she still held-the one he'd given her earlier. "Ms. Thorne, taking care of

but she understood his point and managed

nodded, reserved as always,

the hallway, his long strides slowed,

a spare moment-had spent an unusual amount of time in the hospital

one surgery scheduled in

been waiting with Elodie all this time? For what reason? In

commented on what a perfect pair they made. Elodie

yet, after that, came Jarrod's so-called

if that

Elodie called Rosemary.

still sleeping peacefully, she

in the ICU, so they couldn't go in. All they could do was return

someone once, years ago, but after they broke up, he'd never married or started a family. Now, well into his

there was

catering service stood

sorry,

double-checked. "Are you

still confused.

well. Enjoy your meal.” The delivery person placed the