How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Lucinda's face froze in shock, her usually cool and striking features unraveling

into unguarded disbelief. For a long moment, she seemed at a loss for words.

Then her expression hardened, incredulity replacing confusion as she fixed Jarrod

with a stare. "Do you even hear yourself? All this over a woman? Is it really worth

it-"

"When Dad had other women, you certainly didn't react like this."

Jarrod's words cut in, leaving no room for doubt.

Back then, he'd been caught in the crossfire of their bitter relationship more times

than he could count.

He wasn't even ten when Lucinda and his father started fighting in earnest. But

both families cared deeply about appearances and reputation-their marriage

was a show of unity, so in public they played the part of a loving couple, while in

private their arguments were explosive and relentless.

He remembered thinking how exhausting it all was.

Neither of them cared about anyone but themselves, whittling away at each other,

day after day, year after year.

Jarrod knew Lucinda had suffered her share of heartbreak in marriage. But he

couldn't accept that she would knowingly hurt Elodie, standing so firm and

righteous-even though she herself had once been in such a position. Any

compassion she might have had was now locked away, unreachable.

Lucinda's voice trembled with anger, her beautiful face

a nerve that exposed

didn't want to keep arguing. The pain of

at her, his tone

up. I'd appreciate it if you stayed out of my

it won't matter."

to the driver

she was

didn't say another word to

the room, Elodie was already awake.

responding to messages on

when she

as if nothing had happened-as

there.

over and gently touched

the hospital, she'd been running a fever, but

seemed much better.

to

you're going through?"

low,

matter how

felt, he needed

everything-inside and out-about

Elodie's condition.

was still replaying what Jarrod had said to Lucinda. It

anyone. Jarrod was willing to go

Silverstein family because

a

said quietly,

"I've been lucky;

my hair.

much to

up to a

pills, and the