How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elinor's grin widened. "Well, that means you two hit it off, doesn't it? Miss

Aldridge, Jarrod can be a bit... difficult with people and situations, even I find him

a little intimidating. But if you get along with Sprague, you should come visit more

often!"

"Is that so? At least Mr. Silverstein has better taste than Jarrod," Patricia replied,

glancing in the direction Jarrod had left, deliberately ignoring Elinor's latter

suggestion.

Sprague sipped his tea, fully aware of his mother's intentions.

She was hoping he and Patricia might become something more.

Ideally, even a marriage alliance.

That would be quite advantageous...

Jarrod entered his grandmother's bedroom.

After what had happened yesterday, she was still shaken and not feeling well.

She was lying down, but when she saw Jarrod, she sat up. "How is Elodie?"

Jarrod took a seat. "Didn't I already tell you?"

The old woman's face darkened. She couldn't help thinking the world was terribly

unfair-how could it be so cruel to such a good child?

But...

Just then, Lucinda entered, her voice low and calm. "Miss Aldridge came by to

visit. What was that attitude you gave her?"

a glass of water, his tone icy. "You

should consider what your

a match with the Aldridge

give you plenty to stress

could barely keep

with pleasantries. "Someone like Patricia? Best

obvious the second branch has their own agenda, but I'll

not setting foot

was nothing more than an attempt to sway the

now, during the rumors about Elodie's supposed "miscarriage"

a few words, she could easily stir up trouble and spark

of drama.

for Elinor and her side of the family-Sprague

such a 'suitable' candidate, of course they'd be

never allow someone like Patricia to become part of

he'd make sure

sort of trouble.

her suffer, not even

as for Patricia herself-he'd

"What's that

said nothing, but she understood exactly what

at.

talking to Lucinda, really, he was including

well.

worried she might interfere in

her grandson was shrewd-calculating to

was alright, Jarrod stood to

a look-she was clearly rattled by

her coolly, his

unchanging. "Let's get something

I'm a married man.

to act with

no intention

harem in

civilized society."