How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 691

Elodie glanced at the time. "Just finished up. That's good."

Her grandmother sounded cheerful. "Perfect, then. Since you're done, come back to the family house tonight. Your Uncle Carney and Aunt Elinor just flew in from Europe—they're here for my eightieth birthday. They landed today, so it's only right we have a proper family dinner."

Elodie thought of the second branch of the family. Not long after she and Jarrod got married, Carney and his wife were sent overseas for work. They hadn't been back much in the past few years.

When her relationship with Jarrod became public, Carney's side had even called to congratulate her.

"Sweetheart, Jarrod says he's busy and can't make it. But since you're done with work, you should come. I'll have someone pick you up. I'd also like to hear your thoughts about the birthday celebration."

Elodie hesitated. Things between her and Jarrod were tense, but the Silverstein family had no idea about their troubles. The terms of their agreement had already become meaningless, so there was no reason to keep hiding the truth from her grandmother.

Maybe it was time for a face-to-face conversation to test the waters and see how her grandmother might react. The birthday was coming up, and there was no dodging it. Better to talk things out now and start untangling herself from all these ties.

"Jarrod's not coming?" she confirmed.

"No, he turned me down. You really ought to talk some sense into him-work can never be more important than family."

"Alright, Grandma. I'll be there."

Jarrod must have his

that evening, Elodie drove up to

as she stepped inside, she

Jarrod, legs crossed, sitting coolly in

paused, caught off

told me Elodie had urgent work and couldn't make it. If I

now. Jarrod had tried to make an excuse for her, but her grandmother had gone straight to the source-and then summoned her anyway.

BUMS

was playing both

to greet her, a warm hand slipped into hers. "Elodie, you're here! Come in, sit down." It was Aunt Elinor,

Jarrod sat his

to a seat, ignoring the quiet tension in

lingered on Elodie, his

her. "I've always said Jarrod has excellent taste. The Silverstein family finally has

Carney, you must

nothing. We'll be staying for quite a while this

to Elodie. "By the way, have you seen Sloane? He