How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie couldn't help but look at him, puzzled.

Jarrod closed the door behind him and strode over without a word. He plucked the bag from her hands before she could react.

She reached out to snatch it back but was too slow. Frowning, she demanded, "Jarrod, what are you doing?"

Ignoring her irritation, Jarrod set the bag aside and took hold of her wrist. "Come with me. To the master bedroom."

Elodie's mind immediately jumped to a suspicious conclusion, and she shot him a wary look. "You're not thinking-"

She stopped herself, pressed her lips together, and said firmly, "I have to pack. Don't start with your nonsense. I'm not in the mood for distractions."

Especially not now.

He was still recovering, after all.

She certainly wasn't about to let him get away with anything reckless.

Only then did Jarrod pause. Amusement flickered in his eyes as he stepped closer, feigning innocence. “Nonsense? What's the problem? Is that not allowed between husband and wife?"

"Are you trying to make your recovery take even longer? The doctor said you're not supposed to do anything strenuous, let alone-well, you know. You're supposed to be resting, not

the curve of his lips

to help you pack. Does that count as 'strenuous activity' now?" Elodie was momentarily speechless, staring at

too?" Jarrod looked perfectly innocent. Then, as if something had just occurred to him, his eyes widened in mock realization. "Wait, is that what you meant? Were you thinking I was talking about, you know... marital exercise? Ms. Thorne, what exactly is going on in that head of yours?" Elodie:

had to be doing this on

if trying to soothe her. "Maybe you should try to hold back a little, hmm? After all, I have to follow doctor's

mischief dancing in his eyes. "But if you really can't help yourself,

Elodie: "..."

knew perfectly well he was teasing her, but there was no way to win against him—any protest would just make things

fuming, desperate to brush past him

get the upper

tried to move past him, but he didn't let go of her hand. "No need to head back to your apartment. Everything you need is already

led her toward

a sidelong glare but let herself be

When she'd moved out of their marital home before, Elodie

by now, but as she stepped inside, she saw everything neatly