Chapter 9
Sylvie acted as though she hadn’t even noticed Elodie Smiling gently at Octavis, she said, “Call me whatever you like if it makes you happy, Octavia”
Jarrod looked up, a hint of impatience in his eyes, “What are you doing here?
Elodie met his cold, indifferent gaze and understood immediately
He’d gotten the wrong idea–again
Sure enough, Maurice Nilsson, standing off to the side, shot Elodie a frosty glare. “Ms. Thome, you really don’t know when to quit, do you? Following Jarrod all the way to one of our private gatherings–don’t you think that’s a bit much? We’re all adults here. It’s embarassing, don’t you think?%
Why else would Elodie show up?”
To catch her husband cheating, obviously)
Maurice scoffed, certain he saw right through her. “It’s pathetic, honestly. You know Jamod doesn’t even like you
He’d never forgiven her for what happened that night–how she’d arranged for a reporter to take photos after sleeping with Jarrod. If Jarrod hadn’t acted quickly to suppress the story, the Silverstein family’s reputation would have been in shreds.
A woman who’d risk her own reputation just to climb the social ladder–none of Jarrod’s friends respected her for it
Elodie was used to this kind of biting sarcasm. As far as Jarrod’s circle was concerned, she was the shameless woman who didn’t know her place
Sylvie sat poised at Jarrod’s side, graceful and self–possessed, pouring juice for Octavia without even glancing at Elodie. Confidence and elegance radiated from her–she had nothing to fear from any confrontation:
Elodie understood perfectly. This was what it meant to be the favored one: to act with impunity.).
“Are you upset?” Octavia asked Sylvie nervously, glancing between her and Elodie. She worried that Sylvie might be bothered by the woman who was about to take her brother away.
Sylvie just smiled softly, offering no comment!
Jarrod, perhaps womed Sylvie would misunderstand, grew even colder. If you have something to say, let’s talk outside.
Elodie dropped her gaze and didn’t lock back at the tearoom.
Dut in the hallway, Jarrod regarded her coolly. “How did you know I was here?3
He tone was calm, but he clearly thought she’d been following him f
Elodie met his eyes, feeling a tightness in her chest. “You’re everthinking it. I’m not here to see you, and I don’t care who you spend time with
They were getting divorced–she had no reason to interfere
“you really don’t care” Jamod replied icily. “Then why call in sick from work to avoid doing PR for Sylvie? Isn’t that a bit emotional75
He knew she had a sick uncle, why would she give up a high-paying job spasily? She wasn’t like Sylvie, a genuine high–achievers
Jamod studied her with detached scrutiny
Elodie no longer feh any urge to explain herselfE
She took a step back. “Let’s just get the divorce paperwork moving, please.7
She didn’t want any more entanglements. She’d only come because Octavia had gone missing, but now even that seemed irrelevant
Octavia hadn’t been surprised to see her–clearly the girl had orchestrated the whole thing to mess with her.!!
There was no point trying to explain, Octavia would never admit it
All Elodie wanted was to finalize the divorce as soon as possible
But Jared paused, his dark eyes locking onto her, almost as if he were surprised
Elodie couldn’t understand his reaction. She’d already sent him the divorce agreement, hadn’t she?
She turned to leave, but just as she did, a server rushed by, bumping hard into her shoulder. Elodie lost her balance, stumbling backward–straight into a broad, solid
chest
A familiar cool scent filled her senses !!
After three years of sharing a bed, she’d memorized that scent
She looked up. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
Jarrod caught a whiff of something medicinal and frowned. “Are you feeling okay?
Elodie’s heart clenched if Jarrod ever found out the had cancer, with his cold, unforgiving nature, he wouldn’t hesitate to expose her. If her grandmother asked about
the divorce, he’d probably tell her Elodie didn’t have long to live and didn’t want to drag him down
“If you’re sick, what’s the point of coming to see me instead of going to a doctor?” His calin words caught her off guard
No matter how much she told herself she didn’t care anymore, his words still stung
Before she could answer, he suddenly gave a cold, mocking smile “Nice act–first you storm out, then you threaten divorce, and now you pull this?”
Elodie froze, realizing he’d misunderstood her Again)
She wanted to explai
Burod had already released her and turned away, his expression tight with imitation
Elodie felt her breath catch, her lipstick bitten off to reveal pale lips, and a dull ache building in her stomach
She refused to show any weakness, determined to leave
But at that moment, she brushed past tall man coming the opposite way!
He glanced at her with a half–smile, tossing out, “If you’re that clueless, maybe try mading a book
Elodie frowned, but he didn’t give her a chance to respond–he’d already disappeared into the private room
Another one of Jarrod’s friends: Joseph Delacroix Clearly, he’d seen the whole scene and assumed she’d just thrown herself at Jamod, only to be coldly pushed Dway
