Chapter 15
“No need. I’m leaving” Elodie said, her patience worn thin. She had no interest in sticking around and being a third wheel.
But as she tumed to go, a warm hand closed firmly around her wrist. Jarrod’s gaze was cool, almost indifferent. “You stay switch rooms
Elodie frowned, about to wrench free, but Janod released her first, deliberately widening the distance between them. “If you leave now, ind he hard to explain things to my grandmother’s
So that’s what this was about. Elodie stared at him, incredulous. You want me to cover for
What exactly did he take her for?
or you
with Sylvie? Make it easier to lie to your grandmother?”
10
Jamod met her eyes, adjusting his cufflinks with practiced call you hadn’t come none of this trouble would’ve happened”
A tight knot formed in Elodie’s chest. So it was her fault, then?||
Pressing her lips together, she forced herself to stay composed. “Tine But you approve my resignation–immediately.7
Jarrod’s dark eyes narrowed slightly, a faint, ambiguous smirk touching his lips. That’s acceptable%
Elodie couldn’t make sense of that smiles
She tumed and walked straight back to her room.
No wonder Jarrod hadn’t told her about coming to Mount Serene–he’d brought Sylvie here for a romantic getaway. If she’d known, she never
Rubbing her brow Elodie tried to shake off the annoyance. She told herself she didn’t care anymore, but the sting remained.
she never would have come
‘She busied herself, tidying her suitcase and checking out the guesthouse’s amenities. There was a riding stable, and guests could go horseback nding with a guide.
sounded like a decent distractions
Elodie headed straight for the stables!
She had barely arrived when she heard a woman’s playful voice, Ivan Stop nudging mel Are you trying to be fresh or something?”
A man’s lazy, teasing reply drifted over. “Blame the horse not me.
Elodie stopped in her tracks
She looked up, dazed. A man and woman shared a horse, the man’s arm around her waist, one hand holding the reing, the other tilting her chin up for a kiss. I
Her stare must have been too obvious. Ivan glanced over his gaze darkening a frown ticketing across his face as their romantic moment had been rudely interrupted.
Elodie’s pride stung. For over a decade, Ivan had protected heç treated her as sommedne precious, never once saying a harsh word. He’d been her first love, the one whod given her years of gentle affection.
Three years ago, when Ivan get into trouble, she’d agreed to many Janod in exchange for Malcom’s promise to reduce Ivan’s sentence. Even if she’d moved on, han was still family her most important person. Now, he couldn’t even muster basic courtesy: his indifference cut deeper than she cared to admit.
What was ever real?2
Shad spent three years with Jarrod and never won his heart. And hran–he’d loved her once, hadn’t he?!
Had love soured into nothing? Had even family ties faded away?il
She turned to leave quietly, not wanting to intrude
A voice called out, “Elodie? You’re here too! Come join us for lunch? My friend Sylvie and her boyfriend are here as well.
It was Queenie. Elodie hesitated surprised. So Queenie knew Sylvie? That meant van probably knew all about her disastrous manage by now
Not that anyone seemed to cle about her Jarrod’s wife, and how she was holding up.
“No, thanks. I’ve already eaten Elodie replied, her mood plummeting as she turned to go.
Queenie glanced after her, then nudged Ivan. “Your sister doesnt look well. Is she sick? Maybe you should check on her?”
Ivan barely reacted. “She’s a grown woman Shell survive. No need to fuss.
“Why are you so cold to her?” Queenie asked, puzzled.
Ivan raised an eyebrow, giving a crooked smile. “She’s just a regular sister. Three years in prison, only you and above visited. I know exactly who I owe
Queenie flushed, both embarrassed and pleased. “Well, at least you have a conscience..”
Elodie didn’t leave her room again
No matter which couple she ran into, she felt out of place!!
She was someone’s wife, someone’s sister–once the closest person in two men’s lives, now completely shut out
Why torture harsel17)
She tried not to care, spent two hours browsing international drone foruma, took her medication, and fell into a deep sleep until moming
She planned to leave the mountain today
At eight o’clock, she opened her door to leave just as the door across the hall swung open
Jarrod and Sylvie stepped out together!
