How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

"She'd had people watching Patricia for ages, but they'd never managed to dig up

anything substantial-meanwhile, Jarrod had already struck a decisive blow.

"If you don't want anyone to find out, don't do it in the first place," Jarrod said, his

tone flat as he scanned the menu, methodically picking out dishes. "With her kind

of extreme personality, nothing she does would surprise me. Especially after all

those years overseas... she's picked up plenty of bad habits."

Elodie glanced over the menu and noticed that everything he chose was

something she liked. Even the last dish-a red bean dessert-was her favorite.

She'd always thought Jarrod never really paid attention to her, but now, with some

distance from her old feelings, she could finally see the details she'd missed

before.

"But how did you know when she'd actually do something like that? Those things

are pretty private," Elodie asked, setting the menu aside.

He'd taken care of ordering everything, sparing her the trouble.

"Walls have ears. If you want to live in the spotlight, you'd better be ready to pay

the price."

With his connections in Eldermere, there was almost nothing Jarrod couldn't find

out.

It dawned on Elodie-he must have placed some informant close to Patricia.

She could imagine what a shock this must be for someone as spoiled and willful

Patricia. Abroad, anything might fly, but back home, those antics

tolerated.

arrived,

hot water over Elodie's utensils,

gloves and started peeling the bright,

his

peeled prawns neatly onto Elodie's small

You don't need to do this

a half-smile that didn't quite

idea. I'm not trying to win

are you doing?"

prawn, his voice soft. "That kiss earlier-I shouldn't

without asking. Think of

stared at

didn't look the slightest bit sorry. The nonchalant

was doing this entirely

so "considerate" about

your appetite

lately, but you

keep up your strength.

with your

anything you want, just

know-I'll have

get your digestion

was

was something heavy

that pressed

saw

become.

couldn't stand watching it day

about Elodie-he insisted on handling

Joseph Delacroix arrived

the scene through

Jarrod for years.