Jarrod stood a short distance away, draped in a loose ck shirt that blended him into the dim light. With long fingers, he held a cigarette, but never actually lit it, letting it dangle idly between his knuckles.


    The space between them wasn''t exactly close.


    From where she stood, Elodie couldn''t quite make out his expression.


    Still, the atmosphere had shifted-grown tense andplicated.


    Elodie, however, managed to keep herposure. She didn''t think she''d said anything particrly wrong.


    Well, except for that slip of the tongue-calling him "husband." She shouldn''t have said that.


    Sylvie had also noticed Jarrod lingering nearby. Instinctively, her brows drew together. She turned to Selma and said, “Mom, let''s head inside."


    Sylvie still thought Elodie''s remark waspletely out of line.


    But she wouldn''t stoop to arguing with Elodie-she had too much self-respect for that.


    Only thosecking confidence feel the need to loudly defend their pride.


    Selma caught sight of Jarrod and her face flickered with something unspoken before she smiled and called out, "Jarrod,e in and join us soon, will you?" She didn''t want Jarrod spending any more time than necessary near his ex-wife.


    And as for Elodie... Selma hoped she''d take the hint.


    Her daughter was the one who truly belonged by Jarrod''s side.


    Jarrod nodded in acknowledgment.


    As they left, Sylvie shot Elodie a contemptuous nce, lips curling in a cold, dismissive smile before she and Selma disappeared into the private room.


    Esmeralda, sensing the tension, hung back. She watched Jarrod approach, eyes wary, ready to step in if he tried anything with Elodie.


    Elodie faced Jarrod with icy calm. "Is there something you wanted to say, Mr. Silverstein?"


    He''d already tucked the cigarette back into its case, his gaze lowered and unreadable. Whether out of curiosity or something else, he didn''t seem angry or confrontational. "Since when did you get so sharp-tongued?" he asked.


    Elodie hadn''t expected that to be his opening line.


    She''d assumed he''d be upset about Sylvie being ''embarrassed.''


    "You have changed," Jarrod went on, studying her with those deep-set eyes and a faint, indifferent smile. "You''re more willing to speak your mind these days. Stand your ground."


    She''d drawn a line in the sand, set boundaries.


    Elodie met his gaze, silent.


    Jarrod finally let a slow smirk tug at his lips. "There''s no one else around today, so it doesn''t matter."


    "But if there had been... your littlement might have broken the agreement between us."


    His tone was casual, almost like a gentle reminder, but there was no trace of anger-just a calm surety, as though he couldn''t care less even if she blew everything up.


    Elodie remembered the use in their agreement: if she broke the rules, she''d owe him whatever reasonablepensation he demanded...


    Was this a warning?


    She drew in a steady breath, her voice tight. "You''re overthinking things, Mr. Silverstein."


    She had no interest in dragging out this conversation. “About Mrs. Raleigh''s birthday dinner-we shouldn''t go together. I hope you''ll handle it."


    Jarrod''s eyes narrowed slightly. "I''m afraid that''s not possible."


    "My grandmother feels guilty she can''t attend in person due to her health. Out of courtesy, she''s asked that we appear as a couple-to show our respect."


    He spoke evenly, giving her no room to argue.


    Elodie''s expression turned frosty, her irritation barely concealed.


    Jarrod nced down at her, easily reading her mood. After a long pause, he said quietly, "You just need to show up. That''s all. If you''re there, my grandmother will be satisfied."


    Elodie knew he was alluding to their agreement again, hinting she had no choice. She didn''t bother replying. Instead, she turned on her heel and walked away. Esmeralda quickly caught up, falling in step with her.


    Jarrod remained where he was, watching Elodie''s retreating back with unreadable eyes.


    After a moment, he dropped his gaze, lips curving ever so slightly.


    Meanwhile, Maurice had arrived in time to witness the whole exchange.


    He pped his hands as he approached. "Well, I have to admit, Elodie''s changed


    a lot. But thatment of hers-whew, that was rough."


    Good thing Sylvie has such thick skin, he thought. If she''d made a scene, Jarrod would''ve taken her side, and Elodie would have had nowhere to hide.