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.

decided to defuse the tension for her, playing

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

this time and simply went along with

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

empty. He

nod and

found herself

other side,

idly tracing the rim of his warm mug.

had enough social acumen to sense the awkwardness. Not one for needless formalities, he turned to Jarrod and said, "Mr. Silverstein, how about we switch seats? It's a

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

in a faint smile. "There's

head. "I may be getting old, but I'm not blind. No sense in me forcing

stood up. "Thank you, Mr.

seats, and suddenly, Jarrod was now

left.

Elodie found herself sandwiched between two

manage to land myself in an even