How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 458

Why not just muddle through and be done with it?

Neither of the women visited the old matriarch’s rooms that day; instead, they stayed in the front parlor, making a point to steer clear of her, especially when it came to matters concerning Elodie.

Evening descended.

Jarrod arrived home a little after seven.

Lucinda was still on the sofa, poring over Goldspire Industries’ quarterly reports. She glanced up as he entered. “Have you eaten? I can ask the kitchen to fix you something.”

But Octavia, never one to keep anything to herself, sprang up and hurried to Jarrod’s side, grabbing hold of his sleeve. “Jarrod! What’s going on? This whole thing with Sylvie is a mess, isn’t it? Aren’t you going to do something to clear her name? I mean, our company’s PR team is the best—can’t you get them involved?”

Jarrod shot her a cool look and gently pulled his arm free. “Go sit down, Octavia.”

She pouted, not really understanding. “I just think… if you’d say publicly that you and Elodie are getting divorced, or even already divorced, it would take the heat off Sylvie. Elodie wouldn’t care, right? She’s always been so forgiving… it’d help Sylvie, and Elodie wouldn’t mind.”

Elodie had always been hopelessly devoted to her brother. She’d never make a fuss; hadn't she always been the one most willing to endure?

“Octavia, that’s enough,” Lucinda snapped, frowning. Why was a child involving herself in these matters?

Octavia fell silent, though she was still obviously anxious. Graduation exams were just around the corner, and she’d been counting on Sylvie to help her study. With all this drama, how would Sylvie have the time?

Jarrod loosened his tie and looked up, his dark eyes unreadable. “Did you go see Elodie?”

Lucinda met his gaze. “Did Elodie come running to you with complaints?”

“You know her temperament better than that,” Jarrod replied, voice quiet and even, but his eyes were dark and unfathomable.