Elodie had no idea what Esmeralda was getting at.

“What’s wrong? The payment went through, our project’s up and running-what do you think is going on?”

Esmeralda looked even more bewildered. “I went to the real estate office today. You remember my dad bought me those two condos? I was there to handle the paperwork, and guess who I ran into?”

“Who?”

“Keith. You know, Jarrod’s assistant.” Esmeralda’s expression was incredulous. “He was there to handle some property business for Jarrod. I got chatty with one of the clerks, and he told me the apartment Keith was dealing with is in Moonlight Garden…”

Elodie’s face slowly hardened.

Moonlight Garden-

Their marital home.

What was that supposed to mean?

She stared, a mix of disbelief and confusion on her face.

She immediately pulled out her phone and texted the agent who’d handled her house sale.

The reply came quickly: [Ms. Thorne, the buyer’s identity is confidential, but the person who signed the paperwork is Keith.]

What more proof did she need?

Jarrod was the one who bought the house!

She’d put their home up for sale, and Jarrod had bought it back-without a word to her.

No wonder, on the day she got confirmation the house had sold, Jarrod had asked her those strange questions…

“It was really him?” Esmeralda was just as shocked.

Elodie’s brows knotted in confusion. She couldn’t wrap her head around it.

He had already given her the house. If she wanted to sell, that was her right. Why would he buy it back?

She just couldn’t figure it out.

Still, with the money already in her account, VistaLink Technologies’ most urgent crisis was solved.

But-

As the evening rolled around and work drew to a close, Elodie got a call from Keith.

“Ms. Thorne, are you free tonight? Mr. Silverstein would like you to come by Moonlight Garden.” There was no room for negotiation in Keith’s voice.

Elodie didn’t care much about the house anymore. Her tone was cool. “If he has something to say, he can just tell me.”

“You’ll know when you get here. According to your divorce agreement, we hope you’ll cooperate.” Keith didn’t elaborate.

If he brought up the divorce agreement, that probably meant Jarrod needed to discuss something important.

Elodie rubbed her brow lightly. “Alright. Understood.”

Bound by the clause requiring her cooperation for a year, after work she drove straight over.

When she arrived at the house, out of habit, she keyed in the code.

Beep, beep-

Wrong code.

Only then did it sink in: Jarrod had bought the place back, and immediately changed the password.

Fast, even for him.

Not that it mattered-other than tonight’s business, she hadn’t planned on ever coming back.

No reason for him to be so guarded.

Her expression barely changed. Realizing the situation, she simply rang the doorbell.

It was a while before the door finally opened.

Jarrod stood there, his gaze unreadable as always. “Just got off work?”

Elodie’s eyes widened in brief surprise.

He’d just come out of the shower and was wearing a bathrobe, the collar loose enough to reveal a glimpse of his toned chest and the chiseled lines below.

She quickly looked away. “Just tell me what you need.”

Jarrod glanced back at her. “Aren’t you coming in?”

Her brow furrowed.

Leaning against the kitchen island, Jarrod chuckled softly, “What are you worried about? You think I’m going to pounce on you?”

She ignored his teasing, her lips pressed in a thin line. “Do I need to take off my shoes?”

“Suit yourself.” He sounded almost amused at her formality.

Elodie decided not to bother.

The cleaning service would come soon enough.

“Want something to drink?” Jarrod offered.

“No, thanks.” She glanced at the clock-it was nearly eight. Looking up at him,

she said, “Let’s just get to the point.”

She had no desire to linger.

If it weren’t for the agreement, she wouldn’t have come at all.

As for why he’d bought the house back-she had no intention of asking. That was Jarrod’s business, not hers.