How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 167

Elodie's breath caught, and she shot Ivan a sharp look.

Her gaze shifted to Jarrod, who stood off to the side, his expression as distant as ever. Whatever had just passed between her and Ivan, Jarrod couldn't have cared less.

But Elodie noticed—perhaps it was the word "wife" that Ivan had just used.

For the briefest moment, Jarrod's brow twitched.

Before he could speak, his phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen: Sylvie calling. He answered, his whole demeanor softening. "Yeah, I'll be home soon."

The change in his face, the gentle tone in his voice—it was impossible for Elodie not to notice.

He didn't bother responding to Ivan. Just gave him a curt nod, then looked at Elodie for a fleeting second before striding away with long, purposeful steps.

As if Elodie had never meant a thing to him.

She didn't need to guess who had called. Only Sylvie could make him drop his guard like that.

Elodie slowly looked away. Standing at the center of it all, no one felt Jarrod and Ivan's thinly veiled mockery more acutely than she did.

After the way Ivan had spoken to her, the last ember of hope for his help flickered out.

Without another word, Elodie turned and left.

Ivan stayed where he was, watching her walk away.

So slight, so fragile—she looked as if a gust of wind could shatter her.

He scowled suddenly, dragging hard on his cigarette, forcing down a strange, uneasy feeling in his chest.

It was just his imagination, he told himself.

_

In the end, Elodie never got to meet Dr. Fergus, the specialist flown in from abroad. Disappointment weighed on her.

She'd kept an eye on the crowd all evening, but never saw anyone who matched his description.

The banquet was over.

Guests were trickling out, one by one.

With no options left, Elodie had to come up with a new plan.

Esmeralda went to fetch the car.

Elodie waited outside the entrance.

It was the dead of January in Eldermere, the cold wind biting to the bone. Even wrapped in her long down coat, she felt the chill sinking deep.

She heard voices approaching.

Elodie glanced up—and paused.

Naylor emerged from the hall with a young man at his side.