Chapter 49

Elodie couldn’t quite describe what she was feeling. It wasn’t disappointment-just a biting sense of irony.

But really, what did she expect?

Of course Jarrod wouldn’t deny the woman he loved her rightful place.

Ivan led Elodie out to the parking lot. As they stopped by the car, she was the first to pull her hand free, her voice cool and even as she asked, “Was there something you wanted to say?”

Leaning against the car door, Ivan hesitated. He knew Elodie was furious. The people who’d betrayed her her father, her husband, her sister—maybe he belonged on that list too.

But even so, Ivan knew he still mattered more to Elodie than the rest of them. She’d always listened to him, even when she disagreed.

“You know Jarrod would never actually get involved with Reba,” Ivan said, lighting

a cigarette. “He cares about Sylvie. Anyone can see that.”

Elodie hesitated for a moment. That’s what everyone seemed to think.

“And as for Reba, she’s still my sister. I can’t just stand by and do nothing,” Ivan continued, his tone deliberately casual, but his gaze steady and sincere.

Elodie had thought she could get through today’s events without feeling anything at all. But Ivan’s words struck her deeply.

So he’d chosen to defend Reba after all.

He knew, better than anyone, how Reba and her mother had taken everything from her-her home, her mother, her sense of safety. Ivan had seen firsthand how much Elodie had suffered. He’d once been moved to tears over it, promising he’d do anything to protect her, to make things right.

Now, he could say these things and sound perfectly calm.

“So your idea of ‘not standing by’ is to protect Reba, even though you know I’m the one getting hurt? You want me to just step aside and get over it?” Elodie let out a soft, bitter laugh. There was a raw ache in her chest as she looked at him. “You’re the last person who should be lecturing me about this.”

She’d risked her life for him once. Did he really not remember?

Elodie didn’t like to argue, so she turned to leave.

A flicker of frustration crossed Ivan’s face. He stubbed out his cigarette, calling

after her, “How about dinner sometime? Are you free this weekend?”

He knew she was angry, but she was always quick to forgive. Usually, a meal and some conversation were enough to smooth things over.

Elodie took a deep breath, ready to refuse. “No—”

“Never mind. I just remembered, I’m busy this weekend,” Ivan interrupted, a sudden thought crossing his mind. He’d promised Queenie he’d take her to a baseball game.

He’d be with Queenie. That day was out.

Not that he planned on explaining that to Elodie. She’d just get upset and make a

scene.

“No need,” Elodie replied quietly, seeing right through him. She hadn’t planned on having dinner with him anyway. It wasn’t appropriate anymore-not as his sister, not after everything that had almost happened between them.

Ivan watched Elodie walk away, clutching her coat tightly around herself. He frowned, unable to shake the feeling that something about her had changed.

He’d been the center of Elodie’s world all through her teenage years. He was one of the most important people in her life, even her first love. He knew exactly how much he meant to her.

Back then, she’d been sunny and full of life, basking in his affection. She’d been jealous when other women were around him, fiercely possessive.

Now, with this mess about Reba, he figured Elodie was just jealous again-upset that he was taking Reba’s side. That would explain her coldness.

It made sense. She’d always reacted the strongest when she cared the most.

As he sorted through his thoughts, Ivan rubbed his brow. He decided not to interfere any further.

Elodie needed to learn something.

He wasn’t hers alone.

It was time for her to grow up.

Esmeralda hadn’t come out of the situation too badly. She’d just gotten shoved during the scuffle, and Reba had ended up with a few bright red scratches on her arm-Esmeralda’s brand-new manicure had left its mark.

As Esmeralda put it, she’d dug her nails in hard enough to make Reba wince for a week.

That actually made Elodie smile.

As for Jarrod, she didn’t bother to check in on him.

She’d asked the mechanic to drive her car back from the house. She had no intention of going back there.

Her uncle’s birthday was coming up. Elodie had bought his gift a month early, but before she left, she stopped by the mall again-just to make sure everything was right.

She even picked up a small present for Jarrod to give her uncle before heading to her grandmother’s house.