Chapter 18

So this was what truly mattered to Ivan.

His concern for her had nothing to do with old feelings; he was only worried because The Silverstein Group was about to partner with them.

In Ivan’s eyes, she was still, after all, Mrs. Harcourt. If she didn’t know how to play

her part, and Jarrod took offense, it could cause quite a ripple.

Elodie looked at him quietly. “Is that all you wanted to say to me?”

“No,” Ivan stubbed out his cigarette and met her eyes. “Queenie doesn’t know about our past. I’d appreciate it if you got along with her.”

Was that a warning to keep her mouth shut?

Elodie almost laughed.

Everything that had happened today left her feeling raw, an ache rising in her chest.

“Brother,” she said with a calm, almost distant tone, “if she’s ever curious about how you came to be my brother, maybe I’ll chat with her. But is there really anything else left between us?”

Ivan’s brow furrowed.

But then, a faint, knowing smile played at his lips. “You really have grown up, Elodie. There was a time when everyone in the Harcourt family knew how much you liked me, and now you’ve learned to hide your feelings.”

Back then, her crush on him was no secret to anyone in the family.

Now she could tuck those feelings away, and he admired her for it.

“As for Jarrod—” Ivan offered a pointed reminder, “Men fooling around outside is nothing unusual. Queenie doesn’t know you’re his wife, and it’s best you don’t make that public. It would just put Sylvie in an awkward position.”

“That’s what Jarrod wants?” Elodie lifted her gaze.

Ivan turned to leave, offering no explanation.

She stood out on the porch, the cold wind biting at her skin. Elodie drew a deep breath and let out a bitter laugh.

The same Ivan who once swore he’d never let any man mistreat her, never let anyone hurt her-now he just stood by as she sunk deeper, telling her not to make things difficult for his girlfriend and her friend?

When Ivan returned, Jarrod and the others were chatting as if nothing had happened.

Ivan glanced at Jarrod and Sylvie. In truth, running into Jarrod at Mount Serene had been pure chance. From this encounter, he’d learned that Sylvie and Queenie were close-they’d only had dinner together the night before.

“Mr. Silverstein, you’re a lucky man, beautiful woman at your side. Any plans to tie the knot?” Ivan asked with a thoughtful smile.

Sylvie, knowing Ivan and Elodie were supposed to be siblings, watched him carefully, a faint smile curving her lips.

Ivan, of course, knew all about Jarrod and Elodie’s marriage, but he didn’t care. Instead, he offered his best wishes to Sylvie and Jarrod, as if he was already certain the marriage would end.

After all, no one understood men better than another man.

“If anything, it’s you who’ll be celebrating soon, Mr. Harcourt.” Jarrod set down his teacup, his tone cool and unhurried. “Perhaps I should congratulate you in advance.”

Queenie smiled graciously. “My dad’s been pushing for it…”

Ivan paused, Elodie’s face flashing across his mind. He hesitated before replying, “With your blessing, Mr. Silverstein, I promise you’ll be the first to know when it happens.”

Nearby, Octavia was growing anxious.

She leaned in to whisper to Jarrod, “Hey, do you think Elodie’s going to tell Grandma what happened here? If she does, won’t your whole thing with your wife get exposed?”

Elodie was clever-who knew what she might say to stir things up with Grandma and break them apart?

So annoying.

Jarrod’s eyes darkened, his reply certain and cold. “She won’t.”

And he was right-Elodie wouldn’t.

Later, she took the guesthouse car down the mountain.

They were getting divorced anyway. Whatever Jarrod did was none of her business now.

With one day left in the weekend, Elodie paid a visit to her grandmother’s house.

Rosemary hesitated when she saw Elodie arrive alone, but didn’t ask anything. Instead, she busied herself preparing a full table of food.

As Elodie quietly ate, Rosemary suddenly frowned. “Why have you lost so much weight lately? Are you feeling unwell?”