How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 221

The old woman glanced between the two of them, then strode over and gave Jarrod Silverstein a sharp smack on the arm. “You stubborn boy, why aren’t you even talking to Elodie? When are you going to fix that attitude of yours?”

She’d noticed, of course—ever since Jarrod walked in the door, his attention had been glued to a pile of books, as if they were more interesting than Elodie Thorne ever could be.

Maurice Nilsson, overhearing from the phone, chimed in with a teasing laugh, “He’s just afraid if you show Ms. Thorne a little kindness, she’ll get ideas and won’t want to leave. Women, you know…”

“They’re all soft-hearted in the end.”

Especially a woman like Elodie, still so deeply in love with Jarrod.

Jarrod ignored Maurice’s comment and pretended not to hear, ending the call without a word.

“What are you waiting for? Go drive Elodie to work,” the old woman insisted, unwilling to let Elodie walk alone. She grabbed Jarrod by the arm and marched him toward the door.

Elodie had just closed the trunk and spoke calmly, “Grandma, it’s all right. Really, there’s no need to trouble anyone.”

Jarrod arched a brow, clearly just as disinterested in playing chauffeur. He offered a cool half-smile and echoed, “Grandma, see? Elodie can manage just fine on her own.”

The word ‘Elodie’ lingered oddly in the air, making her pause mid-step for just a moment. Her brow furrowed so slightly it almost went unnoticed.

Sometimes, she almost admired Jarrod’s ability to keep up appearances.

Not that she wanted or needed him to drive her—she didn’t. But every time Jarrod didn’t want to do something, he always made it seem like she was the one choosing.

Elodie simply looked at the old woman and said, “Grandma, I’ll head out now.”

She climbed into her car without sparing Jarrod another glance or word.

Instead of heading to the office, she drove home, carrying her flowers inside.

She’d tended these flowers for years. Back when she lived with the Harcourt family, Reba Harcourt had always complained about allergies, insisting Elodie give them up, while Malcom Harcourt, ever doting on his younger daughter, had urged Elodie not to be selfish and to think of her sister.