How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 97

Elodie's eyes flickered, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her fork.

Octavia didn't miss that fleeting reaction. Her smile widened as she nudged her phone toward Jarrod, determined to get an answer. "So, do you like it or not, big brother?"

Jarrod's eyes, cold and unreadable, stayed fixed on the screen. His expression barely shifted. He shot Octavia a warning look.

Octavia shrank back a little, quickly withdrawing her phone. She knew Jarrod and Elodie's situation wasn't public yet; she'd only wanted to see how Elodie would react, not to actually upset her brother.

"What's going on?" their grandmother asked, sensing the tension at the table.

"It's nothing, Grandma," Octavia said brightly, scooting closer. "I just showed Jarrod something he really likes."

Grandma didn't press, patting Octavia's head before turning her attention back to her meal.

Elodie kept her head down, her face carefully blank. She looked numb, as if she were just an outsider watching a love story everyone else envied.

When Jarrod finished eating, he set down his fork and headed upstairs.

Grandma scowled in annoyance. "He disappears the moment he finishes. Elodie, go call him down."

Elodie had been searching for an excuse to leave, and Grandma's words gave her one—at least for now. She went upstairs and knocked on the door.

No answer.

She pushed it open and stepped inside, just as Jarrod walked out of the bathroom.

He'd just showered; his dark hair was still damp, and he wore casual loungewear that emphasized his broad shoulders and trim waist. His phone was in hand, busy with a chat.

Elodie froze, a flurry of unwelcome thoughts flashing through her mind.

Octavia had shown him a racy photo of Sylvie, and Jarrod had immediately excused himself to shower. Now, seeing him still chatting—if it was Sylvie sending him even more personal pictures…

The timing made his shower seem suspicious.