How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Jarrod really did change rooms. Now, so early in the morning, he and Sylvie were coming and going together. There was no doubt they'd spent the whole night in the same room.

Elodie suddenly felt sick to her stomach.

She turned away from the two of them, slipped back into her room, and rushed to the bathroom, trying to throw up—anything, just to get rid of that nauseous feeling.

But nothing came up.

Her appetite had been terrible lately. Maybe things were even worse for her than she'd realized.

Elodie stared at her pale, hollow-eyed reflection in the mirror, a chill crawling up her spine.

People are so fragile, she thought.noveldrama

At least she could be grateful she'd woken up before things became truly irreversible.

She still had time to become herself again.

With a determined breath, Elodie touched up her makeup, determined not to look so worn out.

She asked the innkeeper to arrange a car to take her back down the mountain. Just then, her grandmother called.

Her grandmother, Rosemary, was a stern, no-nonsense woman. With Elodie's grandfather gone early, Rosemary had poured all her energy into raising her children.

After Elodie's mother passed away, Rosemary grew even more quiet-except when it came to worrying about Elodie.

"Grandma?" Elodie cleared her throat before answering, making sure her voice betrayed nothing.

"Did you have breakfast?" Rosemary asked, her tone gentle for someone usually so serious.

Elodie felt a warmth bloom in her chest. "I'm eating now. Missing me already, Grandma?"

Rosemary chuckled softly. "It's nothing urgent. I just finished knitting two scarves for you and Jarrod. The weather's getting colder, and these will keep you warm. When can you come by to pick them up? Maybe stay for dinner-I'll make your favorite sweet and sour ribs."

Elodie looked down, guilt flickering in her eyes. "Grandma, you really don't have to go through all that trouble."

"It's different," Rosemary insisted. "I know life isn't easy for you, married into a family like his. There's not much I can do to help, so I do what I can. Be good to Jarrod, all right? If he has any conscience, he'll treat you well too, won't he?"

Elodie's eyes burned. She wiped the corner of her eyes with her fingertip. "He's just... been really busy lately, maybe—"

"There's always time for a meal," Rosemary said, not missing a beat. "Can you both come by in the next couple of days?"

It had been so long since Rosemary had seen Elodie and Jarrod together, and she clearly missed them.

Elodie considered it and finally agreed, "Alright. I'll try my best."

She realized Jarrod should be the one to talk to her grandmother about the divorce he owed her that much. At least they could part on good terms.

To her grandmother, even the biggest problems had to have a reason.

Elodie didn't want her to ever know the truth-that Jarrod had cheated. It would only upset her and take a toll on her health. Better to find a gentler explanation, to say they just weren't right for each other.

This was something Jarrod needed to handle.

After a moment's hesitation, Elodie left her room and walked down the hall toward Jarrod's door.

She noticed it was ajar.

She stepped closer, about to knock, but through the crack she caught a glimpse inside: Sylvie, standing on tiptoe with her arms around Jarrod's neck, his hands loosely at her waist, their heads tilted together in a kiss...

Elodie's eyes flickered.

She froze on the spot.

Suddenly, a pair of hands shoved her hard. Elodie's head spun, and she barely managed to keep her footing.

"Don't you have any shame? Spying on other people's private business?" Octavia, face flushed with outrage, glared at Elodie like she'd just committed some unforgivable crime.

The commotion startled the people inside.

Jarrod and Sylvie quickly came to the door.

Sylvie, uncharacteristically, frowned and shot Elodie a cold glance, lips pressed into a thin line.

"Enjoying the show?" Jarrod's handsome face was twisted in a mocking smile, his eyes cold enough to freeze the air.

He was angry.

He didn't say much, but Elodie could feel the accusation in every inch of his posture.