How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie finally understood what he was getting at.

She knew he was playing the sympathy card, but she also realized he was only doing it for her sake.

"You know," Jarrod drawled, "my lungs still ache, my ribs can't take any strain, I can't even shower by myself."

Standing behind the wheelchair, Andrea shot Jarrod a strange look. He'd never seen Mr. Silverstein like this before.

There was simply no way for Elodie to argue with Jarrod's words.

"So, you want me to stay at Moonlight Garden?"

"No, I want you to come home."

Jarrod didn't wait for her to agree or refuse; he took her hand. "Just humor me, will you?"

Elodie could only stare at him, speechless.

Sometimes, she truly thought Jarrod was a master at both pride and humility— whatever suited him best. Most days, he was cool and distant, but when he wanted to be difficult, he had plenty of tricks up his sleeve.

Finally, she turned to Andrea. "Help him to the car. We'll stop by Moonlight Garden first."

Andrea nodded. "Of course."

Clearly, Mr. Silverstein's act was a resounding success. Andrea had to admit, he was almost impressed.

Once Elodie got in the car, she texted Rosemary and Emile to let them know she'd be going to Jarrod's place first. As she put her phone away and turned, she saw that the smile hadn't left Jarrod's lips.

Catching her glance, he said, "Being in a good mood probably helps with recovery, don't you think?"

ahead

as leverage, but she never intended to ignore what he'd done for her. He'd saved her

from her own illness, not fully back to normal, and

was out

inside, brought in their things, and, with

nodded toward the stairs. "Go lie down for

asked,

care of you as much as I can. I'm fine now, really, and I'm not going to go back on my

bathroom by myself... If you want to help me undress in the shower, I wouldn't complain," he teased, making it clear he didn't really expect her

I let someone who's barely recovered look

and now she had to worry about him

just followed

well. He'd been pushing himself

home, you know. You can relax. Why don't

not tired. I'll catch up on some work online while you sleep," she replied, settling onto the sofa with

up on

watched her for a while, feeling a rare

Elodie scrolled through her

messages nothing urgent. When

up, she

brow furrowed, exhausted even in rest. So much responsibility had fallen on his

pulled the blanket up around

the nursery, a sharp ache

Jarrod tried to distract her, whenever she saw that room,

opened the