How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Watts's complete lack of restraint genuinely caught Elodie off guard for a moment.

He wasn't even trying to keep his voice down, so everyone nearby could clearly overhear their conversation.

Even Klein couldn't help glancing over. After a pause, he finally remarked, "Watts, you and Elodie seem pretty close."

He didn't really follow the details of these younger people's business, but Watts's tone definitely sounded familiar—almost intimate.

Jarrod watched Elodie, her expression as calm and composed as ever. Turning his head slightly, he responded to Klein in an unhurried tone, “Eldrion Global and VistaLink Technologies work together quite a bit.”

Realization dawned on Klein's face.

Watts shot Jarrod a look, then let out a belated laugh. "Yeah, Eldrion Global and VistaLink Technologies do have a lot of dealings with each other. We're about the same age, so it's only natural we got to know each other."

Elodie herself had no idea why Watts called her "sis," but, given how awkward things were today, she chose to sit with Watts. People would naturally wonder why she and Jarrod seemed so distant as a married couple—especially since there was a conveniently empty seat beside him.

But after what happened last night, she really had no interest in keeping up appearances by sitting next to Jarrod.

"Oh, look at that sunset! Isn't that sea of clouds just gorgeous? Mr. Aldridge really knows how to pick a spot. Come on, let's go take a look," Esmeralda chirped, looping her arm through Elodie's and steering her in the direction Watts had indicated.

to defuse the tension for her, playing the

the divorce was already in motion-there was no reason to make Elodie feel uncomfortable by

and simply went along with it, settling into

sure Elodie was seated, she flitted over to the floor- to-ceiling windows to take in

still empty. He glanced at her and pointed to the spot, silently asking

small nod

also found herself

Klein's other

hand idly tracing the rim of his warm mug. He gave

one for needless formalities, he turned to Jarrod and said, "Mr. Silverstein,

Klein's straightforwardness. It wasn't often you saw a

lips curved in a faint smile. "There's really no

be getting old, but I'm not

stood up. "Thank you, Mr.

two men swapped seats, and suddenly, Jarrod

left.

an instant, Elodie found herself sandwiched between

think: How did I manage to