How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue novel Chapter 715

Jarrod must have sensed they were talking about him, because he finally looked up.

With her arms crossed, Esmeralda snorted. “What’s he staring at? It’s not like I was wrong. Didn’t he have a huge fight with you over the baby not long ago?”

The moment the words left her mouth, regret followed. After all, this was still a sore spot for Elodie.

Esmeralda scratched her head awkwardly, at a loss for what to say next.

Alexander, knowing how blunt she could be, gave her a gentle flick on the forehead. “Go sit with the kids’ table, will you?”

Elodie’s expression didn’t betray anything, but a sharp pain lanced through her chest, radiating down to her abdomen—a reminder that some wounds never truly heal.

She drew a quiet breath, trying to suppress the ache.

Just then, the family matriarch waved her over with a warm smile. “Come here, sweetheart, sit with us grandmothers for a bit.”

Esmeralda, ever protective, tagged along. She’d spotted Elodie’s formidable mother-in-law at the main table and worried Elodie might be at a disadvantage. If that woman started anything, Esmeralda was ready for a showdown. Elodie might care about keeping up appearances, but Esmeralda did not. Why should Elodie always be the one to suffer?

As Elodie approached, she noticed that Jarrod’s side of the family was nowhere to be seen—maybe they hadn’t arrived yet, or they were mingling elsewhere.

The matriarch reached out, taking Elodie’s hand just as a voice cut in:

“Henrietta, you look absolutely radiant today.”

Elodie’s fingers instinctively tightened at the sound. She shot a cold look at the newcomer.

Patricia, dressed in a demure, elegant style that would win over any elder, cradled an ornate birthday gift as she stepped forward to greet the matriarch—immediately stealing the spotlight from Elodie, the real granddaughter-in-law.

The old woman studied her for a moment before recognition dawned. “Miss Aldridge?”

Patricia’s smile brightened. “I’m so glad you remember me. I came especially to wish you a long, happy life and endless joy.”

Esmeralda’s face instantly soured. She leaned in to whisper to Elodie, “She’s acting like she’s Jarrod’s wife, strutting up to the main table. What’s she even doing here?”

Elodie pressed her lips together, her mind still unsettled by everything that had happened at the hospital. She couldn’t possibly feel calm toward Patricia.

Rosemary, observing Patricia, sensed that this woman was far from simple.

Jarrod shot Patricia a cold glance, making it clear she wasn’t welcome.

The matriarch nodded politely. “That’s very thoughtful of you.” She signaled for someone to take the gift but had no intention of chatting further.

The matriarch gasped, her breathing turning ragged.

The guests nearby were stunned, the news rippling through the room in whispers.

Lucinda’s face twisted with anger as she glared at Elodie. “What have you done? That was the Silverstein family’s child! If your grandmother has a heart attack because of this, can you live with yourself? Today’s her birthday!”

The accusations slammed into Elodie, as if she were the one responsible for ruining the entire celebration.

“Mother, since when do we take the word of an outsider?” Jarrod stepped forward, shielding Elodie behind him. His voice was icy, but his intent to protect her was unmistakable.

The matriarch pressed a trembling hand to her chest. “Elodie, tell me it isn’t true.”

Elodie’s jaw ached from clenching her teeth. She knew what the old woman wanted to hear, but how could she say it?

Esmeralda saw what was happening—Elodie was being made the scapegoat, and they wouldn’t rest until she’d been found guilty of something.

Eyes red with fury, Esmeralda strode forward and slammed her hand on the table. “None of you have the right to judge her!”

“You think she wanted this? She was sick—seriously ill!”