How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

When it came to matters of real consequence, it seemed they always stood back to back, never quite on the same side.

That realization left Watts silent for a long while.

He felt a vague sense of disquiet-part surprise, part confusion, and something else he couldn't put a name to, prickling just beneath his skin.

He forced down the unfamiliar discomfort before finally speaking. "I came today because I wanted to tell you if you need help, I'm here. Anytime."

"That won't be necessary." Elodie set her cup aside. "I never said I couldn't handle it myself. You don't need to get involved."

That calm, almost effortless composure-he'd rarely seen it in any woman. In fact, even most men, seasoned by hardship, rarely carried themselves like this.

Looking at her now, Watts found himself at a loss for words. Something about her struck a nerve deep in his brain.

She really was different from everyone else.

Elodie didn't seem to care what was running through Watts's mind. She stood, glanced at him, and asked, "Actually, I'm curious, Mr. Aldridge-what made you so sure? On what basis did you decide that I'm playing games with Jarrod, or that he's planning to cut me loose?"

Most people who didn't know the details of their situation would never jump to such conclusions.

his eyes. "If your relationship was solid, there'd be no room for another woman to step in. And if you'd really lost a child, you'd be devastated. I just looked at the facts. After everything that's happened, I doubt you could still trust him with your whole heart. As for him-well, if he doesn't love you, there's nothing

someone else say Jarrod didn't love her—most

in thought, and finally said, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Aldridge. But you don't need to worry about Jarrod forcing me out for the sake of protecting his

that, she nodded and

down at the untouched cup of coffee

a long moment, he finally picked it up and took a slow

had sounded like

But in truth...

exactly what had been going on between Elodie and Jarrod lately. He understood the fault lines in their marriage. He'd heard all

he knew

he'd tossed out those pointed doubts, hoping to plant seeds

to make her question

would ever retaliate against her, even after everything that had happened with the baby. She still trusted Jarrod

one thing that caught him

not they suspected each other wasn't the most important part of the situation. But Elodie's unwavering faith in Jarrod stirred something strange

whole feeling