How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Sprague was on his way, and after a moment's hesitation, Elodie decided to follow along.

Right in front of her, Jarrod entered the passcode. It was the same sequence she'd seen at their old place the same one from their wedding apartment.

But as she stepped inside, she realized something startling: the décor here was absolutely identical to hers, down to the smallest detail. The floors, the tables and chairs, even the trinkets on the shelves and the curtains hanging in the windows -every last piece mirrored her own home.

For a split second, Elodie wondered if she was seeing things.

"When did you do all this?" she asked. As she spoke, Jarrod was already crouched by the shoe cabinet, pulling out a pair of women's slippers her usual brand and style.

He set them down by her feet, then looked up with a hint of a smile. "Are you planning to charge me for the design rights?"

"If you want to pay, just send the money," Elodie replied dryly. What was the point of all this verbal sparring?

Jarrod straightened up and walked farther in. "No problem. I usually use Venmo. Want to add me?"

Elodie fell silent again.

It was oddly funny-they hadn't even added each other's contacts since she'd deleted him. She knew Jarrod wasn't serious; bringing it up now felt equal parts bittersweet and ironic.

down, but as she glanced to the opposite wall, she froze. There, on a

and Jarrod, sitting side by side with composed expressions-neither of them looking especially happy. She'd always thought

at it again, she noticed something she'd missed before—a faint, almost imperceptible trace of a smile in

else would frame a photo from their city hall wedding and

take a few family pictures to send to her great- aunt. Jarrod had tried to send her one

in the pictures. After all, they'd

could see it: when Jarrod stood beside her for the camera, his body and head leaned ever so slightly in her direction. It was a subtle but

says more than

then, though, Elodie hadn't dared to

embarrass herself by

let out a

glass of water and handed

her off guard.

he warning her not to get her hopes

overthink it," he repeated, his voice steady. "I didn't put those out to show off

benefit. Not for

for anyone. It's not about