Elodie couldn''t wrap her head around it, so she blurted out, "You paid for it?"


    Jarrod nced at her with azy indifference, a faint, almost mocking smile tugging at his lips.


    He probably thought her question was unnecessary.


    The answer was obvious.


    He''d always been generous with Sylvie.


    Realizing she''d said too much, Elodie rxed, exhaling softly. "Alright, I get it."


    As long as he didn''t drag her or the Thorne family into trouble, she didn''t care how much he spent on Sylvie. That was his business.


    "Are we each getting our own gift for Aunt Grace?" she asked.


    Jarrod, watching her with a measured gaze, replied, "No need. I''ve already taken care of everything."


    "Okay." Elodie didn''t press further.


    She turned to leave.


    Jarrod seemed to remember something. "I''ll send you the photos."


    Elodie hesitated, ncing back. "Hm?"


    He had already pulled out his phone. The olddy had sent him six pictures. He long-pressed to select them all, tapped to forward, and scrolled down to find Elodie''s contact.


    Just as he was about to hit send, Sylvie''s name shed across the screen with an iing call.


    Jarrod''s expression didn''t flicker. He looked at Elodie, shut the door in her face without hesitation, and answered.


    He had no intention of letting Elodie overhear or interrupt their conversation.


    Elodie stood there silently for a moment, pressing her lips together.


    She didn''t linger. Instead, she simply turned and walked away.


    Even when the olddy invited her to stay for lunch, she excused herself, iming she had work at the office.


    Meanwhile,


    Jarrod finished his call, grabbed his jacket, and left the house.


    Hepletely forgot about sending Elodie the photos.


    Saturday.


    Jarrod called Elodie first thing in the morning. "Give me your address. I''ll pick you up for Aunt Grace''s party."


    Elodie looked around her small apartment. She had no intention of letting hime over. "No need. I''ll get there myself."


    "Grandma insisted. I have to go with you," Jarrod said, his tone utterly calm and unreadable.


    Elodie was silent for a moment. "I''ll meet you outside VistaLink Technologies." He hung up without another word.


    Elodie packed up and took the subway, arriving just as Jarrod''s car pulled up. Today, Keith was driving Jarrod''s Maybach, the one he usually kept for himself.


    Jarrod was in the back seat, focused on his iPad.


    Given how awkward things were between them, Elodie figured sitting side by side would be ufortable, so she reached for the front passenger door.


    This time, Jarrod looked up.


    "Sit in the back."


    She paused, unfazed, and quietly got in beside him.


    Keith nced at Elodie in the rearview mirror, his gaze holding something unreadable.


    Elodie noticed and looked up, only to spot a tube of lipstick and apact mirror


    on the dashboard above the glovepartment.


    Apparently, someone touched up their makeup here quite often.


    So that was it.


    The front passenger seat was reserved for his girlfriend.


    She didn''t have the right to sit there.


    It wasn''t about wanting to sit with her.


    Elodie turned to stare out the window, her expression calm and unreadable.


    Aunt Grace''s house was buzzing with guests for her great-grandson''s christening. She''d booked out the entire second floor of the country club.


    Everyone arriving was someone of consequence.


    When they got out of the car, Elodie headed to the trunk to collect the gifts she''d prepared.


    Inside, she found three elegantly wrapped boxes.


    She hesitated.


    Jarrod came over, picked up two of them, and handed them to her.


    Elodie''s eyes lingered for a moment on the third, slightly different box, before looking away.


    Jarrod took a call, one hand in his pocket. Turning slightly toward her, he said, "You go on ahead."


    Elodie''s expression didn''t change. She just nodded and walked toward the entrance.


    She understood what Jarrod meant.


    There would be plenty of familiar faces at the party. If he showed up with her, everyone would immediately realize they were husband and wife.


    And if word got out about their marriage—well, how was Sylvie, his current girlfriend who was enjoying her moment in the spotlight, supposed to handle that? Jarrod just wanted to avoid any awkwardplications.