How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Even though Jarrod's tone and manner didn't betray any sharpness, Elodie could tell he was still holding onto some emotion.

When it came to the subject of children, nobody could just let it go easily. Not even herself.

She stopped, looking up at him. "So, what did you want to say to me?"

Jarrod lowered his gaze. "Do you trust me?"

"Are you worried I'd doubt you?" Elodie shot back without missing a beat.

He held her gaze for a long moment before the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "I hope you won't."

"Of course I won't," she replied without hesitation. "You're Mr. Silverstein, after all.

I hardly think you're the type to play dirty or be petty."

Jarrod allowed himself a brief, wry smile. "You give me more credit than I deserve."

He wasn't exactly magnanimous-especially not when it came to Elodie. With her, he could be both meticulous and endlessly compromising at the same time.

She ignored his comment. "I heard you submitted some evidence to the board? To prove your company's clean?"

"News travels fast with you-or should I say, Watts is really on the ball." His eyes narrowed slightly. Even with the pressure mounting, he looked as unruffled as ever, not a hint of panic in his demeanor.

Then Jarrod tilted his head, his voice casual, almost teasing. "Don't tell me you don't have something up your sleeve too?"

That caught Elodie off guard. She shot him a surprised look.

Was he psychic now?

But Jarrod didn't wait for her to answer. His voice dropped, calm yet reassuring. "I do have a few things prepared, but I haven't handed them in yet. I just told the board I could prove there's nothing wrong with our materials. Honestly, I was waiting to coordinate with whatever you've got planned."

Sometimes Elodie had to admit she was impressed by this man. Nothing got past him. Around him, other people's secrets didn't stand a chance.

"Do you see it now? This time, they're targeting both of us. There's no coming out of this untouched.” Jarrod straightened, glancing over at the eastern gate of the complex-the direction she'd just come from after her coffee.

"Maybe you should use this chance to take me down. You've never really forgiven me, have you?" Elodie turned and headed for the building entrance.

Jarrod shot her a look. "If I was going to do that, I'd just drag you home and tell you you're not leaving until you give me a child."

Elodie stumbled, thrown off by his blunt words.

She had to hand it to him-crude as it was, he wasn't wrong.

Jarrod never resorted to underhanded tactics. When he played his cards openly,

few people could beat him-let alone if he decided to play dirty.

Elodie hadn't even reached the door when Jarrod's phone rang.

It was Sprague Silverstein.

"I've been home with Grandma these past couple of days. A fresh shipment of crab just came in from Australia, and Grandma

21.ne

remembered how much ElodieДikes seafood. I've got nothing else going on, so I'll bring some over for you both."

Jarrod glanced at Elodie. He knew full well how much she loved е seafood, Grandma always made sure to have some flown in, making sure it was at its freshest even after crossing half the globe.

"You could have someone else drop it off, you know."

"It's fine. I have something I'd like to talk to you about anyway."

Jarrod matched Elodie's stride, long legs easily catching up to her. "Alright, but Elodie and I aren't at the main house. We're staying somewhere else." fo

She turned to look at him when she heard that.

After the call ended, Jarrod said, "Sprague's bringing the crab over. He'll be here soon."

Elodie bristled instinctively. "I don't really want to entertain anyone at my place." "That's why we'll do it at mine."noveldrama

He was already heading upstairs.

The sudden visit threw Elodie off balance; she had little choice but to follow. She

could guess Grandma had put him up to this, just for her.

Once they reached his place, Jarrod said, "Come in. You've been living here for a while, but you've never actually seen my side of things."