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.

mind and decided to defuse the tension for her, playing the

reason to make Elodie feel

protest this time and simply went along with it, settling into the

flitted over to the floor- to-ceiling

was still empty. He glanced

a small nod

also found herself a

other side,

a relaxed posture, one hand idly tracing the rim of his warm mug.

Not one for needless formalities, he turned to Jarrod and said, "Mr. Silverstein, how about we switch seats? It's a bit

straightforwardness. It wasn't often you

in a faint smile. "There's really no

laughed and shook his head. "I may be getting old, but I'm not blind. No

that, Jarrod stood up. "Thank you, Mr.

seats, and suddenly, Jarrod was now

left.

an instant, Elodie found herself

How did I manage to land myself in an