How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 145

Elodie nearly choked on her drink. "Grandma, you've got it all wrong. He's just Jarrod's friend."

At that, Rosemary's expression froze for a moment.

"Well, that won't do then. Not appropriate. Let's keep looking," she said.

Emile, exasperated, put a piece of roast on his mother's plate. "Mom, Elodie just got divorced. There's no rush."

Rosemary had already discussed this with him. He'd been fully supportive of Elodie's decision—there's no point staying in an unhappy marriage that only wears you down.

Rosemary shot him a look. "You think I don't know? Isn't it you young folks who always say the best way to move on is to meet someone new? If you happen to find the right person, and they're decent, why not give them a chance?"

Elodie couldn't help but laugh. "Grandma, you're really keeping up with the times."

She'd expected Rosemary to be worried sick about her, but now she realized her grandmother's years abroad had given her a surprisingly open mind. It was actually a comfort.

The bonfire party wasn't until ten, and dinner wrapped up a little after eight.

Elodie glanced at the clock. "How about a soak in the hot springs before we head out again? Warm up a bit?"

Rosemary and Emile had no objections.

The hotel had separate hot springs for men and women, plus an outdoor pool with a view. Rosemary and Emile preferred peace and quiet and headed for the indoor springs, while Elodie, who liked a good view, wandered out to the open-air pool alone.

Wrapped in a towel, she stepped in, when her phone suddenly buzzed.

Elodie stopped and glanced down.

It was a text from Jarrod.

— [Happy New Year.]

So short and to the point. She could practically hear the cool, distant tone in his voice—the sort of obligatory politeness that meant nothing at all.

Elodie stared at those three words. She knew it wasn't a group message.

He'd blocked her on social media, never caring about these things, but still, out of sheer courtesy, he'd sent her this one, perfunctory greeting.

She slipped her phone away without another thought.

She had no intention of replying.

Divorced was divorced. She wasn't going to play along for appearances' sake.

"Elodie!"