How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elinor burned with anger but was forced to swallow it down.

She knew all too well what Jarrod Silverstein was capable of-how, years ago, he'd squeezed their side of the family until they barely had a foothold left. They'd been all but "exiled" for years now.

Deep down, Elinor feared and dreaded Jarrod more than she cared to admit. She kept her mouth shut, not daring to utter a single word.

But the one who was truly seething was Patricia Aldridge.

She'd arrived today in good spirits, only to find Jarrod even sharper and more ruthless than he'd been in years past.

All her life, Patricia had been the one others fawned over-except when it came to Jarrod. In front of him, she'd stumbled again and again.

And now, to be dismissed with a word as humiliating as "mistress"—it was an outright insult.

Sprague Silverstein pressed his lips together. Though he was quietly furious, he forced himself to keep his composure. “Jarrod, Miss Aldridge is our guest,” he reminded.

Jarrod had already brushed past him, his usual poise now tinged with venom. "If you still can't see the reality of things, big brother, maybe you ought to return to Italy for a few more years. Figure out whose side you're really on."

Each word struck deeper than the last.

Sprague's eyes darkened.

Jarrod completely off balance. Jarrod was never one to let his emotions show, no matter the time or place. But now, he

For the first time, she saw her son—so brilliant, so inscrutable, always a step ahead completely undone over a

ready to upend

more words on people who didn't matter. After checking

plenty of ways to settle that

and said quietly,

even. She understood Patricia's intentions, but she also knew no one

Patricia caught the meaning

nodding. "It's fine, He's alwaysbeen like this. We've known

won't impose

desire to linger for the sake of empty pleasantries. Her proud, imperious attitude only ever wavered in front of

spoke up in a low voice. "I'll

Patricia didn't refuse.

left, one after the other, leaving Lucinda and

indignant. After all, Jarrod was

care about his grandmother's birthday luncheon. If this gets

coolly. "If you're so envious, why not tell

after