So all she could do was stall for as long as possible.

Once the VistaLink Technologies project was secured and running smoothly, she could finally take time for her treatment—and start preparing her grandmother and uncle for the news.

When she finished changing her clothes and stepped out, her phone wouldn’t stop chiming.

Elodie picked it up and glanced at the screen.

Photos from Esmeralda.

Clearly snapped on the sly.

The pictures showed the jewelry store in the shopping mall-Jarrod was there, helping Sylvie pick out jewelry.

Sylvie was holding an emerald necklace in her hands.

So, when he’d called Elodie earlier, he must’ve taken a quick break from his date to handle it.

Esmeralda: [Disgusting, disgusting, disgusting!]

Esmeralda: [I’m right next door. I watched Jarrod swipe his credit card for Sylvie over and over, buying her more luxury gifts than I could count. Just a minute ago, he bought her that emerald necklace and matching earrings-they cost more than a million dollars.]

Esmeralda: [He didn’t even blink!]

Esmeralda: [You have to hand it to Sylvie. She’s got this mistress thing down pat.]

Elodie slowly shifted her gaze away from the photo and, for the first time in a while, thought back on her marriage to Jarrod. He had never once gone shopping with her-not that she’d ever asked him to.

As for the gifts he gave her…

Most were arranged by his grandmother behind the scenes-she’d instruct Jarrod to pick up some limited-edition handbags or jewelry for Elodie while traveling abroad on business.

Then there were the obligatory birthday or anniversary presents. Jarrod would just tell Keith to handle them, as if ticking off a task on his to-do list—a gesture that looked thoughtful, but felt as impersonal as an office memo.

Even if the gifts themselves were worth a fortune.

Compared to him personally accompanying Sylvie, though, they seemed cold and meaningless.

She hadn’t even taken those things with her: they were still sitting in the closet at the marital home. No matter how expensive they were, she didn’t care anymore.

Elodie sent Esmeralda a quick reply-Get home soon-and then put her phone away, heading off to rest.

As for Jarrod and Sylvie, she was done asking, done caring.

She refused to let them dictate her mood any longer.

The next day.

Elodie arrived at VistaLink Technologies and checked her email.

Jarrod still hadn’t sent her the photos.

He’d probably just forgotten, caught up with work.

She didn’t want to pester him, so she let it go for now.

At lunchtime, Elodie called Keith.

Last time, when she’d tried to talk to Jarrod about her mother’s memorial, he hadn’t let her finish. He’d simply told her to schedule it with Keith. Left with no choice, she needed to confirm.

It took a while before Keith picked up. His tone was stiffly professional. “Ms. Thorne, Mr. Silverstein is still in a meeting. You might want to try calling later.”

He automatically assumed she was calling for news about Jarrod, so he just brushed her off.

Elodie couldn’t be bothered to argue about his attitude. “I’m not looking for him. I just need to confirm-does he have any free time on the 24th?”

Keith paused, realization dawning. He slowed down, “Sorry, Ms. Thorne, but Mr. Silverstein has a personal commitment that day. I’m afraid he’s not available.”

“That’s the third anniversary of my mother’s passing. Can he spare even an hour to light a candle?” Elodie’s brow furrowed.

She didn’t expect Jarrod to be there the whole time just to show up, pay his respects, just for a bit. That would be enough.

Keith hesitated. “I’ll check with Mr. Silverstein.”

Elodie knew there was nothing more she could say.

It was only an hour. Surely Jarrod couldn’t refuse that.

After she hung up, Keith was still wondering how best to bring it up when he saw Jarrod and Sylvie stepping off the elevator together, chatting as they returned from lunch.

He hesitated, then called out, “Mr. Silverstein.”

Jarrod glanced over. “What is it?”