How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 179

Jarrod strode in from outside, wrapped in a sleek black overcoat. His features were sharp and refined, his eyes cool and unreadable as they settled on Elodie.

There was nothing in his expression that hinted at the usual emotions one might expect before a divorce.

Behind him trailed Maurice, along with another man whose polished demeanor suggested he was no ordinary guest.

Maurice clapped the man on the shoulder. "Cousin, I'll leave the rest to you. Make sure you go over the divorce terms with Jarrod."

The moment Maurice heard that Jarrod wanted a divorce, he'd immediately contacted his cousin—a lawyer renowned for securing the best outcomes in divorce and asset division cases. In Maurice's mind, after all the years Elodie had clung to Jarrod, she'd surely ask for the moon now that the marriage was ending. So, he'd called his cousin in, hoping to rein in any outrageous demands she might make.

She'd been scheming from the very start. If she wanted a divorce now, she shouldn't expect to walk away with much.

The new arrival turned to Elodie, giving a courteous nod. "Ms. Thorne, good afternoon. I'm Albin, Mr. Silverstein's attorney."

Elodie returned his greeting with a polite nod.

At her side, her own attorney, Baxter, stood up in surprise when he recognized the man. "Albin, it's been a long time."

Albin acknowledged him with a brief smile. The two were old acquaintances from the legal circuit.

Elodie glanced at Baxter, who leaned over to quietly explain, "Albin was my mentor back in law school. He runs his own firm now. Usually handles high-stakes financial cases, so… this might not be easy."

Elodie understood immediately. When Baxter said "not easy," what he really meant was—negotiations would be tough.

But she couldn't quite figure out why Jarrod, whose company had access to some of the most formidable lawyers around, would turn to Albin for this. She only wanted the ring; with Albin on Jarrod's side, Baxter might not be able to win her much at all.

It didn't add up. She hadn't asked for anything in the agreement.

So why had Jarrod brought in a heavy-hitting lawyer on the very day they were filing for divorce? Did he think there was some loophole in her proposal? Was he worried she'd try to pull a fast one?

He was… protecting himself from her.

Jarrod sat down across from Elodie as Albin retrieved a file from his briefcase and slid it across the table to her.

Jarrod's tone was calm, almost detached. "Take a look. If there's anything else you want, we can add it in."

Maurice blinked in confusion and leaned over. "When did you prepare a divorce agreement? Weren't we supposed to negotiate here?"

Jarrod didn't answer.

Elodie opened the file and began to read.