How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 18

So this was what truly mattered to Ivan.

His concern for her had nothing to do with old feelings; he was only worried because The Silverstein Group was about to partner with them.

In Ivan's eyes, she was still, after all, Mrs. Harcourt. If she didn't know how to play her part, and Jarrod took offense, it could cause quite a ripple.

Elodie looked at him quietly. "Is that all you wanted to say to me?"

"No," Ivan stubbed out his cigarette and met her eyes. "Queenie doesn't know about our past. I'd appreciate it if you got along with her."

Was that a warning to keep her mouth shut?

Elodie almost laughed.

Everything that had happened today left her feeling raw, an ache rising in her chest.

"Brother," she said with a calm, almost distant tone, "if she's ever curious about how you came to be my brother, maybe I'll chat with her. But is there really anything else left between us?"

Ivan's brow furrowed.

But then, a faint, knowing smile played at his lips. "You really have grown up, Elodie. There was a time when everyone in the Harcourt family knew how much you liked me, and now you've learned to hide your feelings."

Back then, her crush on him was no secret to anyone in the family.

Now she could tuck those feelings away, and he admired her for it.

"As for Jarrod—" Ivan offered a pointed reminder, "Men fooling around outside is nothing unusual. Queenie doesn't know you're his wife, and it's best you don't make that public. It would just put Sylvie in an awkward position."

"That's what Jarrod wants?" Elodie lifted her gaze.

Ivan turned to leave, offering no explanation.

She stood out on the porch, the cold wind biting at her skin. Elodie drew a deep breath and let out a bitter laugh.

The same Ivan who once swore he'd never let any man mistreat her, never let anyone hurt her—now he just stood by as she sunk deeper, telling her not to make things difficult for his girlfriend and her friend?

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