How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

"She'd had people watching Patricia for ages, but they'd never managed to dig up

anything substantial-meanwhile, Jarrod had already struck a decisive blow.

"If you don't want anyone to find out, don't do it in the first place," Jarrod said, his

tone flat as he scanned the menu, methodically picking out dishes. "With her kind

of extreme personality, nothing she does would surprise me. Especially after all

those years overseas... she's picked up plenty of bad habits."

Elodie glanced over the menu and noticed that everything he chose was

something she liked. Even the last dish-a red bean dessert-was her favorite.

She'd always thought Jarrod never really paid attention to her, but now, with some

distance from her old feelings, she could finally see the details she'd missed

before.

"But how did you know when she'd actually do something like that? Those things

are pretty private," Elodie asked, setting the menu aside.

He'd taken care of ordering everything, sparing her the trouble.

"Walls have ears. If you want to live in the spotlight, you'd better be ready to pay

the price."

With his connections in Eldermere, there was almost nothing Jarrod couldn't find

out.

It dawned on Elodie-he must have placed some informant close to Patricia.

She could imagine what a shock this must be for someone as spoiled and willful

as Patricia. Abroad, anything might fly, but back home, those antics wouldn't be

tolerated.

The food arrived, dish by dish.

Jarrod poured hot water over Elodie's utensils, then slipped on a pair of

disposable gloves and started peeling the bright, salt-baked prawns-without

even touching his own plate.

He placed the peeled prawns neatly onto Elodie's small dish.

She frowned. "Eat your own food. You don't need to do this for me."

Jarrod glanced up with a half-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Don't get the

wrong idea. I'm not trying to win you over."

"Then what are you doing?" Elodie pressed.

He peeled another prawn, his voice soft. "That kiss earlier-I shouldn't have done

it without asking. Think of this as my apology."

Elodie stared at him, speechless.

He didn't look the slightest bit sorry. The nonchalant pace of his words made it

clear he was doing this entirely on purpose.

He'd never been so "considerate" about moments of closeness before.

"I know your appetite hasn't been

great lately, but you should try to eat

well and keep up your strength. It'll

help with your surgery later. If

there's anything you want, just let

me know-I'll have someone help

you get your digestion back on

track." Jarrod was teasing her, but

there was something heavy in his

tone, a worry that pressed on him

every time he saw how thin she'd

become.

He couldn't stand watching it day after day.

Every little thing about Elodie-he insisted on handling personally.

Outside the restaurant, Maurice and Joseph Delacroix arrived just in time to

witness the scene through the window.

They'd known Jarrod for years. In

their social circle, he was

untouchable-the golden boy,

admired by everyone, always proud

and never stooping to the ordinary.

But now...

They could hardly believe their eyes.

Jarrod, sleeves rolled up, humbling

himself to do these small, thoughtful

things for the woman beside

him-he didn't even take a single bite

for himself. Whenever Elodie so

much as glanced at a dish, he'd

move it closer to her. He poured her

soup, tucked a stray strand of hair

behind her ear, refilled her tea at just

the right moments.

When had Jarrod ever been the type to take care of someone like this?

If he hadn't been through years of tough training, would he be this good at it now?noveldrama

Maurice stood there, his jaw nearly on the floor. It took him a full minute before he

managed to mutter, "Was I totally blind all these years?"

How had he never realized Jarrod had a side like this?"