How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie glanced at the time. "Just finished up. That's good."

Her grandmother sounded cheerful. "Perfect, then. Since you're done, come back to the family house tonight. Your Uncle Carney and Aunt Elinor just flew in from Europe—they're here for my eightieth birthday. They landed today, so it's only right we have a proper family dinner."

Elodie thought of the second branch of the family. Not long after she and Jarrod got married, Carney and his wife were sent overseas for work. They hadn't been back much in the past few years.

When her relationship with Jarrod became public, Carney's side had even called to congratulate her.

"Sweetheart, Jarrod says he's busy and can't make it. But since you're done with work, you should come. I'll have someone pick you up. I'd also like to hear your thoughts about the birthday celebration."

Elodie hesitated. Things between her and Jarrod were tense, but the Silverstein family had no idea about their troubles. The terms of their agreement had already become meaningless, so there was no reason to keep hiding the truth from her grandmother.

Maybe it was time for a face-to-face conversation to test the waters and see how her grandmother might react. The birthday was coming up, and there was no dodging it. Better to talk things out now and start untangling herself from all these ties.

"Jarrod's not coming?" she confirmed.

"No, he turned me down. You really ought to talk some sense into him-work can never be more important than family."

"Alright, Grandma. I'll be there."

Elodie agreed, realizing that Jarrod must have his own plans by now.

Later that evening, Elodie drove up to Silverstein Mansion.

A housekeeper met her at the door, and as soon as she stepped inside, she could hear laughter and conversation coming from the living room.

She walked in and immediately spotted Jarrod, legs crossed, sitting coolly in an armchair. He glanced over at her, his expression unreadable.

She paused, caught off guard.

Her grandmother shot Jarrod a glare. "You told me Elodie had urgent work and couldn't make it. If I hadn't called her myself, I'd have believed you!"

Elodie understood now. Jarrod had tried to make an excuse for her, but her grandmother had gone straight to the source-and then summoned her anyway. Clearly, her

BUMS

grandmother was playing both sides.

Just as Elodie was about to greet her, a warm hand slipped into hers. "Elodie, you're here! Come in, sit down." It was Aunt Elinor, smiling as she led Elodie further inside.

Next to Jarrod sat his uncle-Carney Silverstein.

Elinor ushered Elodie to a seat, ignoring the quiet tension in the room.

Jarrod's gaze lingered on Elodie, his face giving nothing away.

Carney smiled at her. "I've always said Jarrod has excellent taste. The Silverstein family finally has a science prodigy."

Elodie responded politely, not missing a beat. "Uncle Carney, you must be exhausted after such a long journey."

He waved a hand. “Oh, it's nothing. We'll be staying for quite a while this time."

Elinor turned to Elodie. "By the way, have you seen Sloane? He was just here.”

As she spoke, a deep voice came from the doorway. "Elodie seemed lost in thought-I called her name, but she didn't hear me."

Elodie turned. Sloane Silverstein strode into the room-Carney's only son, a year older than Jarrod.

know

She didn't know Sloane well; after her first year of marriage to Jarrod, he and the rest of Carney's family had abruptly moved to Italy. It had all happened so quickly that she'd barely had time to process it Her grandmother hadn't mentioned Sloane's return, and Elodie hadn't expected to see him tonight.

Sloane approached her with an easy smile, giving her a quick once-over before extending his hand. "Elodie, long time no see. Don't tell me you've forgotten me already?"

Elodie was stilfirecovering from hernoveldrama

recent surgery-she hadn't quite

gotten her strength back. She

opened her mouth to reply, but- before she could answer, Jarrod stood up abruptly. He reached out, took her hand, and gently pulled her

to his side, his gaze cool as he looked at Sloane.

"Come on, Sloane," Jarrod said mildly. "You don't need to tease Elodie like that."