How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 693

Never would she have guessed that now, years later, Lucinda would use it as a source of biting sarcasm.

Elinor simply smiled, rising without giving anything away. "Oh, Lucinda, you do have a way with words. Good matches don't just fall from the sky-they're written in the stars. I suppose they were just luckier than most."

Lucinda sipped her tea and let the topic drop.

Jarrod clearly had no interest in continuing the conversation. He took Elodie's hand and gently guided her to an armchair, then released her without a word.

Sprague acted as if he remembered nothing about the past, sliding easily into a seat. "If I recall," he said, glancing at Elodie, "just before I left for Europe, wasn't there a car accident you were involved in?"

Elodie nodded. "Yes, you still remember that?"

Jarrod's gaze lifted, slow and measured.

Sprague's eyes settled on Elodie's arm. "You broke your right arm, didn't you? I remember Jarrod was beside himself with worry. He practically dropped everything for you—even during that critical time with the board. Stayed by your side for weeks, didn't he?"

Back then, Jarrod hadn't officially taken over the Silverstein Group yet. He was still locked in a delicate battle with the board. Any misstep could have cost him everything. But Elodie was hurt, and Jarrod had walked away from the most important meeting of his career to find her.

shrewd strategist... that could have ended his chances

it

was never some vague feeling; it was rooted in moments like these, in the way he acted and the choices he made. She never knew precisely what was happening at the company back then, but for two months, Jarrod personally took care of her-cooking,

"It's good to

had never been more than acquaintances. Most of their interactions were little more

she

Elodie was gone, Jarrod rose and stepped out onto

followed, and together they looked out over the garden, the pines and evergreens swaying in

be staying a

band. "Really? You're able to get away from

back. I can't miss Grandma's birthday celebration, now can

"Honestly, I owe you, Jarrod. If it weren't for you, I'd never have made

a sharp, sidelong glance. "Wasn't that what you

him no exit. Officially, Sprague had

All because of...

Elodie's car accident.