How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 28

Joseph kept quiet, but he couldn't fully disagree with Maurice's take.

Maurice turned to Jarrod, conviction in his voice. "Look, I honestly think Elodie's just competing with Sylvie. Sylvie's into drones, so Elodie pretends to be interested too. Sylvie likes Alexander, so Elodie joins VistaLink Technologies. Bottom line? She just wants your attention!"

He prided himself on understanding women's little games.

A woman starved for love will act up, make a scene—he'd seen it all before.

Jarrod said nothing. At that moment, his phone rang. It was his grandmother. He stood up and stepped outside to take the call.

"Still awake this late, Grandma?"

She snorted. "And you? Shouldn't you be with Elodie right now?"

Jarrod pinched the bridge of his nose. "Got caught up with work."

"Don't give me that!" she snapped. "You think I don't hear the rumors? I know exactly who you've been spending time with lately. Is this how you think a married man should behave?"

Jarrod looked up, sighing. "Who told you that?"

"So you admit it!" she huffed indignantly. "Jarrod! Elodie's a wonderful girl. If you let her down, don't you fear divine retribution?"

He sounded almost amused. "Is it really that serious?"

His dismissive tone only made her angrier. "If you don't want to give me a heart attack, you'd better bring Elodie home tomorrow. That's not a request—it's an order!"

Without waiting for a reply, she hung up.

Jarrod stood for a moment, one hand in his pocket. He opened his messages, stared at Elodie's chat, then backed out and just called her directly.

It was already eleven o'clock.

Elodie had just drifted off to sleep when the phone rang. Her sleep schedule was always steady—rarely did she stay up late. Jarrod knew that about her.

Still, Elodie was unfailingly patient. No matter when he called or what he needed, she never snapped or refused, even if she was annoyed. She'd just swallow her feelings, then go right back to trying to please him.

He never had to worry about her—she never demanded anything from him.

She answered, voice a little groggy, "Is something wrong?"

Jarrod's tone was steady, almost flat. "Can you come back to Silverstein Mansion with me tomorrow?"

Elodie blinked herself a little more awake.