How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Elodie quickly grasped the situation.

Something was obviously off.

Getting caught coming out of the same room together-there was no way that wouldn't look suspicious.

Patricia swept toward them, narrowing her eyes at Ivan. "Mr. Harcourt, was there really anything you couldn't discuss outside? What exactly were you doing bringing Elodie into your room? It's not a good look, and we should all be concerned about Elodie's reputation."

Esmeralda, having recovered from her surprise, raised a brow in return. "Honestly, who would read anything into a brother and sister spending time together? Miss Aldridge, aren't you being a little melodramatic?"

Patricia just smiled, undisturbed. "Forgive me, I'm only looking out for Elodie. That's all. I happened to hear from Mrs. Jett that Elodie's expecting.

Congratulations, by the way."

Ivan's easygoing expression snapped into something rigid.

Elodie's face finally changed too.

Queenie?noveldrama

She stared at Patricia, shocked that Patricia knew, and even more stunned that she'd drop the news-right in front of Jarrod.

Esmeralda's emotions flickered across her face, openly frustrated.

A bombshell like that, dropped out of nowhere.

Wouldn't today spiral into a mess of misunderstandings?

Elodie knew she'd never tell Jarrod herself, but now-Patricia, an outsider, had just blurted it out in front of him. It made everything look ten times more suspicious.

Especially with Elodie and Ivan coming out of a room together.

Even if Jarrod's opinion didn't matter much to Esmeralda, she still didn't want Elodie's reputation to suffer. What if Jarrod started questioning Elodie, or worse, suspected something between her and Ivan-maybe even wondered if the child wasn't his?

If Jarrod decided to make a scene...how was Elodie supposed to handle it?

Esmeralda's face darkened as she imagined the possibilities.

But Jarrod just looked at Elodie, calm as ever. He stepped forward and, without a word, slid his fingers between hers, holding her hand tightly.

Ivan saw every detail of that gesture.

Elodie's heart skipped. She glanced up, searching his still face.

"Elodie's expecting and needs to be looked after," Jarrod said quietly. "If Mr.

Harcourt happened to help her today, then I appreciate it." His voice was cool and

measured, his eyes giving away nothing-no trace of the doubt or drama everyone expected.

Patricia hadn't anticipated this at all, and for a moment her smile froze.

Elodie pressed her lips together in silence.

She, too, hadn't expected Jarrod to react this way.

Not that she'd planned to explain

herself. There was nothing to

explain Her conscience was clear. If others wanted to doubt her, there

was nothing she could say to change their minds.

But Jarrod hadn't questioned her about the baby, or about being with Ivan...

Even Esmeralda looked at Jarrod with surprise. For the first time, she thought he was acting like a real man, not one to jump to conclusions.

Ivan, meanwhile, looked cold and tense, his eyes glued to Elodie's stomach.

His mind was reeling. Elodie was pregnant?

Jarrod turned to Elodie, as casual as always. "Once you're finished here, shall we go home?"

Patricia's hands curled into fists, her expression cooling as her plans unraveled.

Queenie and the others couldn't

have just imagined something

between Elodie and Ivan; there had to be something there. Yet Jarrod had just witnessed everything himself, and still didn't confront Elodie?

Even if he didn't know whose child it was, what man wouldn't be suspicious if his

wife hadn't told him she was pregnant?

Especially a man like Jarrod—someone from his background, who'd never tolerate even a hint of scandal.

Elodie understood, too-some things had to be handled carefully in public. She kept her composure and nodded. "Alright."

Jarrod didn't let go of her hand. "Ms. Mercer, would you like to come with us?"

Esmeralda snapped out of her thoughts, sensing there were things they needed to clear up in private. She forced a smile. "No, thanks. I'll drive myself."

Jarrod finally glanced at Ivan. "Well then, Mr. Harcourt, I'll leave you to your work."

He remained unfailingly polite.

There was no storm, no confrontation-nothing but a silent slap that stung even

more.

Ivan's face was pale, his gaze locked on Elodie, unable to believe what he'd just seen.

Jarrod led Elodie away.

Patricia's fists tightened. Nothing had played out the way she'd hoped.

Not even close.