Maurice walked Sylvie out, while Joseph stayed behind to handle the situation.


    As for the live-streaming fiasco...


    That would have to wait. They could only address it after things unfolded further.


    Elodie, meanwhile, didn''t bother with how the mess at the venue would be cleaned up. The olddy still had a firm grip on her hand, and Elodie couldn''t exactly pull away, so she quietly followed her into the car.


    They arrived at the olddy''s vi.


    Jarrod got out first, circled around, and opened the door for Elodie. His gaze was steady, unfazed.


    Elodie sometimes admired this about Jarrod-how he could keep hisposure and even put on a performance at a time like this.


    She stepped out and went inside behind the olddy.


    Today, the olddy didn''t seem particrly angry. In fact, she looked rather pleased with Jarrod''s conduct. "Such a mess at the hotel-no one even got to eat. We''ve got dinner ready here at home, let''s all sit down together before we talk."


    Elodie nced toward the dining room. Sure enough, the table was already set, as if they''d been expected all along.


    "Alright," Jarrod said, taking a seat first.


    Elodie suspected the olddy had things to say, so she sat down as well, waiting for what woulde next.


    The olddy looked at the two of them, sitting apart, and couldn''t help but sigh. "Jarrod, you need to exin things to Elodie. Some people—and some matters— have nothing to do with you, or if they do, you''ll handle them."


    Jarrod''s expression didn''t change, but before he could answer, Elodie spoke up. "Grandma, it doesn''t matter."


    She knew Jarrod would only pretend to y along to keep up appearances for the olddy. She didn''t have the patience for such an act and preferred to brush past the topic as quickly as possible. The sooner this ended, the oner she could be free of the situation.


    Her attitude was deliberate a message to the olddy that there was no point in binding together two people who didn''t care about each other. She hoped the olddy would eventuallye to terms with that.


    Atst, Jarrod looked at Elodie. There wasn''t a flicker of emotion on her face. She was making it clear to the olddy that she didn''t care, that there was no need to fuss.


    He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. “Grandma, Elodie''s feelings are my feelings."


    The olddy just couldn''t


    understand these two. Elodie


    seemedpletely unconcerned. about the rumors linking Jarrod and Sylvie was it because she trusted Jarrod, or because she simply didn''t care? And Jarrod''s response... it was as though he''d solve the problem if Elodie asked him to, but if she said it didn''t matter, he''d go along with that too.


    Watching them both act like outsiders to their own marriage left the olddy feeling helpless. Guilt pricked at her, and she squeezed Elodie''s hand. “You''re the only one I recognize, dear. No matter what happens, you''re the only Mrs. Silverstein in this family. won''t let Jarrod or anyone else treat you unfairly."


    She meant every word.


    As for that Sylvie?


    She would never make it into the Silverstein family, not a chance.


    Elodie understood how deeply the older generation clung to their views on marriage. Since she couldn''t bring herself to talk about divorce outright, she didn''t try to reason with the olddy. She simply nodded. "Please don''t worry about me, Grandma. I''m fine-really. I''ll go wash my hands before dinner."


    She had no desire to keep up the conversation.


    Cold. Detached. Unmoved.


    The olddy saw it for what it was, and her heart grew heavier still.


    There was clearly a rift between husband and wife.


    As soon as Elodie left, the olddy''s face hardened as she turned to Jarrod. "Elodie is a good and decent girl. She may say she doesn''t care, but I''m warning you-enough with Sylvie. Don''t make me step in myself."


    Jarrod poured her a ss of water, then poured another and set it at Elodie''s ce, waiting for her to return. Only then did he speak, his tone calm: "Wasn''t today''s little drama at the hotel all your design, Grandma? Do you really need to intervene again?"


    The olddy met his gaze,


    i.ne


    unflinching "Do you think I didn''t know what was going on? Why else would Sylvie dare to book out a restaurant owned by the Silversteins for your birthday? You told me you''d be busy and wouldn''t be home-did you think I wouldn''t realize you were going to her event? The moment she tried to pull a stunt like that on our turf, she lost any chance for courtesy. Why should I give her any respect?”