Now that he was gone, she could finally rx a little.


    She set her towel down on the chair and slipped into the water, letting herself enjoy a rare moment of peace.


    The warmth surrounded her, soothing some of the aches and difort she''d been carrying.


    She''d barely been in the water a few seconds when voices drifted in from outside. "Jarrod? Is someone in there? Why''d youe out?" That was Sylvie.


    Jarrod''s voice was calm and even. "No one''s here. Let''s go."


    Sylvie said something else, but their voices faded as the two of them walked away down the corridor.


    Elodie rested her chin on the edge of the hot spring, ncing at the door before letting her eyes drift shut.


    So Jarrod and Sylvie had nned to meet here. If she hadn''t decided on a whim toe down for a soak tonight, the two of them might''ve ended up having a lovely little date.


    She lingered on that thought for a moment, then let it go.


    Her mind drifted, her fingers absently tracing the faint scar across her lower stomach.


    Back when Ivan Harcourt''s troubles had blown up at the firm, there''d been a nasty incident—a targeted attack before he was taken away. After everything that happened, she''d spent more than two weeks in the hospital.


    Maybe because of those injuries, getting pregnant had be a challenge ever since.


    Elodie shut her eyes, letting the silence stretch out as she floated in the warmth. The next morning, after she''d packed up her things, Esmeralda stopped by to call her down to breakfast.


    When they reached the restaurant, Alexander looked up from his phone. "Jarrod and Sylvie just left together. Didn''t even stay for breakfast."


    Elodie let the words slide in one ear and out the other, ordering a t white from the server instead.


    The food at this mountain resort was surprisingly good, and she found herself enjoying the meal.


    After breakfast, while they waited for the car to arrive, Joseph walked over from the lobby.


    Elodie was a little surprised to see him—she''d assumed he''d have left with Jarrod and the others.


    "Mr. Dcroix." With Joseph approaching, Alexander had no choice but to greet him.


    Joseph nodded. "Had a few things to handle just now. Since we ran into each other, shall we go together?"


    Elodie and Esmeralda offered no opinion, so Alexander just shrugged. "Sure, why not?"


    Joseph''s gaze flickered past Elodie before settling on Alexander. "Mr. Sterling, you shoulde up here more often. Just let me know anytime you''ll always have a spot."


    Alexander knew full well how hard it was to book this particr resort.


    Heughed. "You''re too generous. I''d feel bad owing Mr. Dcroix a favor."


    Joseph''s tone was light, but his eyes didn''t waver. "No need to be so formal. It''s nothing, really. I''d be honored to count VistaLink Technologies as a friend."


    That made Alexander raise his eyebrows and nce at Elodie.


    Joseph''s attitude wasn''t what he''d expected. Given the tension between Sylvie and VistaLink these days, not to mention how tight-knit their social circle was, he''d figured Joseph would be more distant.


    Elodie said nothing, and Alexander responded with a diplomatic smile. "You tter me, Mr. Dcroix."


    Joseph nced at his watch, thenmented almost offhandedly, "I heard you''ve got something to celebrate soon, Mr. Sterling?"


    Alexander arched a brow. "Depends what you mean. There''s plenty of good newstely."


    Joseph paused, eyes flicking to Elodie. Yesterday, Maurice had spected that Alexander might be thinking about bringing Elodie into the Sterling family. Joseph only wanted to test the waters-though he couldn''t exactly ask outright.


    But Alexander didn''t give anything away.


    After a moment, Joseph shook his head. "Nothing, really. You just seem to be in great spiritstely."


    Alexander looked even more puzzled, but the conversation moved on.


    When their car arrived, Joseph got into a different vehicle.


    Alexander mulled it over for a second, then turned to Elodie. "Did you notice


    anything weird about Mr. Dcroix''s attitude toward me?"


    She shot him a quizzical look. "Weird how?"


    Alexander frowned, still not sure himself. "I don''t know, just feels like I''m getting a


    little too much attentiontely. It''s almost unsettling."