How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 427

"They're staying at that hotel too-it's the official venue for the conference. If you're uncomfortable, I can talk to the front desk and see if we can switch somewhere else."

Alexander was always mindful of Elodie's feelings. He'd hoped this trip would be a chance for them to relax and have some fun.

"No need," Elodie said, shaking her head. "It's got nothing to do with me. We'll have our own space, and as long as our doors are closed, it doesn't matter what anyone else does."

As soon as she finished speaking, Jarrod and his group sat down at a table not

far away.

There was an invisible but unmistakable line drawn between the two parties.

They had barely settled in when a little girl with neatly braided hair appeared, clutching a bouquet of freshly trimmed roses. She approached Jarrod shyly, drawn to him, and pulled out a single rose to offer him. "Mister, would you like to give this flower to the lady?"

Jarrod glanced down at the little girl.

Sylvie, sitting beside him, couldn't help but laugh and asked, "Why's that?"

The girl was of mixed heritage, her skin a shade darker than the average white child.

At Sylvie's question, she looked up at Jarrod, earnest and serious. "Aren't you two boyfriend and girlfriend? A gentleman should always give beautiful flowers to a lady."

Sylvie was instantly charmed by the little girl's sweet manners. She accepted the rose and turned to Jarrod, who sat across from her with his usual quiet dignity. "Well, Jarrod, do you like it?"

Jarrod with expectant, hopeful eyes. He straightened up, reached for his wallet, and placed a generous bill into her palm. "I'll buy the entire bouquet," he said kindly. "But we can't take all

him over and over, her face beaming as she darted from table to table, handing

string of

a single rose found its way to Elodie's table. The girl placed it gently beside her and whispered, "Miss, that gentleman wanted you

cup of

glanced instinctively across

if sensing her gaze, Jarrod

Their eyes met unexpectedly.

sidelong glance at the

noticed the exchange but didn't mind. After all, Jarrod had bought the flowers for her, and if Elodig ended up with

any other diner

further attention

the little girl was about to leave, he called her over and handed her two more bills. "Got any left? I want to buy

by her luck, nodded enthusiastically and hurried off to gather more

on the chair beside Elodie. "They're all yours. Who says one rose is anything to brag

stared at him,

old are you? she thought. Still

arrived, and Elodie's phone buzzed with a

calling-despite the late hour

midnight there. Worried it might

"Mr. Aldridge?"