How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 117

Elodie hadn't even spoken yet when Sylvie's voice came through the phone, cool and composed: "Who's this?"

Elodie's words caught in her throat, suddenly dry and impossible to swallow.

Jarrod hadn't saved her number with a name in his phone? So she showed up as just another unknown caller?

She stared down at her feet and asked quietly, "Is Jarrod there?"

"He's right here, but I'm afraid he's too busy for you today," Sylvie replied, her tone unhurried, almost amused.

The calm certainty in Sylvie's voice made it clear: in her eyes, Elodie was just the kind of "other woman" meant to be kept in the shadows, easily dismissed at a moment's notice.

Elodie's brow furrowed.

Before she could reply, she heard Keith's voice in the background: "Ms. Fielding, the bakery called. They're asking if we should deliver the cake now."

Without hesitation, Elodie ended the call.

She stood rooted to the spot, her face pale. After a long moment, she pressed a hand to her abdomen, rubbing gently as a wave of discomfort worsened.

There was nothing left to confirm. Keith was handling the cake, which meant Jarrod had given the instructions himself.

Jarrod hadn't spared her feelings—not for a moment. He hadn't even tried to show her a shred of respect.

A crushing helplessness dragged her down, making it hard to breathe.

It took Elodie several minutes to gather herself, to force her emotions back into check. When she finally returned to the front garden, she wore a calm, neutral expression, as if nothing had happened.

No sooner had she left than Ivan, standing beneath the cypress trees, stubbed out his cigarette and let out a short, derisive laugh as he watched her walk away.

—

Silverstein Group.

Sylvie was just setting her phone back on the desk when Jarrod returned from the conference room. He crossed the office in long strides, glancing at his watch. "You haven't left yet?"

She smiled softly. "I was hoping we could go together. Unless you have other work to finish?"

Her mother's birthday was today, and Jarrod had already picked out a thoughtful gift days ago. Sylvie could tell he genuinely cared. He'd even arranged for the celebration to be held at one of Maurice's private resorts, booking the entire place for the night—just to make her mother happy.

They planned to have dinner together and cut the cake afterward.