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.

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

side with composed expressions-neither of them looking

something she'd missed before—a faint, almost imperceptible trace of a smile in Jarrod's

frame a photo from their

had tried to send her one afterward, but by then she'd already deleted him. He'd been interrupted by a

Jarrod hadn't wanted to be in the pictures.

she could see it: when Jarrod stood beside her for the camera, his body and head leaned ever so

always says

Elodie hadn't dared to guess, hadn't wanted to read

embarrass herself by

a

staring at the photos. He poured a glass of water and handed it to her. "Don't

caught her off guard. She

he saying things were different now? Was he warning her

it," he repeated, his voice steady. "I

benefit. Not

for anyone.