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?"

and placed a generous bill into her palm. "I'll buy the entire bouquet,"

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

she collected a string of grateful smiles and

placed it gently beside her and whispered, "Miss, that gentleman wanted you

cup of coffee halfway to her

glanced instinctively across

gaze, Jarrod looked

Their eyes met unexpectedly.

frowned and looked away, casting a sidelong glance at the rose-but she left

all, Jarrod had bought the flowers for her, and if Elodig ended up with a rose as well, it

was no different from any other diner who'd received a flower that

paid no further attention to

however, couldn't help but chuckle. As the little girl was about to leave, he called her over and handed her two more bills.

nodded enthusiastically and

Elodie. "They're all yours.

stared at

are you? she thought. Still acting like a

then, their dinner arrived, and Elodie's phone buzzed with a call

calling-despite the late hour in Eldermere,

there. Worried it

"Mr. Aldridge?"