Jarrod fell silent for a moment.


    He drummed his slender fingers lightly on the steering wheel before turning to nce at her profile. Watching her, he tried to catch a flicker of emotion as she spoke, but her expression gave nothing away.


    He finally asked, "So, do you actually resent me, or are you just teasing?"


    Elodie couldn''t quite see the point of his question.


    Leaning against the car window, her tone as steady as ever, she replied, "Just stating the facts."


    Just the facts, huh.


    Jarrod hesitated, then only responded as he made a turn. "You''re telling me stating facts is always emotionless?"


    "Anyone on the outside would talk about it with contempt," Elodie said, her voice cool and clear. "Which do you think I am?"


    Well then.


    The air seemed to splinter all over again.


    After a while, Jarrod stared out at the road ahead, barely letting out a quiet breath that sounded almost like augh. Or maybe not.


    "Sharp tongue. Never lets herself get the short end of the stick. I like that," he remarked, as if he''d found something worth praising.


    Elodie couldn''t figure out his train of thought and simply turned to gaze at the city lights outside.


    She certainly didn''t think she''d said anything wrong.


    What Jarrod thought was his own business; if he felt no shame for what he''d


    done, why should a few words get under his skin?


    They drove on in silence until they finally reached Moonlight Garden.


    The courtyard glowed with warm lights.


    Through the windows, Elodie could see shadows moving inside-someone tending to the house.


    Only after they pulled in did she realize people were out in the yard, tidying up.


    Jarrod got out and walked around to open her door for her, offering a brief exnation. “Grandma brought some people over today to help set up a few things."


    Elodie didn''t respond. After all, this was his ce-how he arranged things was up to his family.


    As soon as they stepped inside, they found his grandmothering over from the living room. The old woman''s face was tight with worry, but she still reached out to take Elodie''s hand gently, reassuring her, "Don''t pay attention to the nonsense online. People these days say anything to vent their anger. Jarrod will make sure the worst of it''s taken down. Don''t let it get to you, sweetheart."


    Elodie recognized the woman''s genuine concern and gave her hand a grateful squeeze. "I know. I don''t have the energy to care about what irrelevant people think. It really doesn''t matter to me."


    She barely had time for her own life.


    Other people''s opinions held no weight for her-except for how they affected her reputation or career, which did need to be managed.


    Jarrod''s grandmother still felt uneasy. The things that happened back then were unpleasant, and she didn''t want old wounds reopened or new misunderstandings to fester.


    But she was already aware of the Silverstein Group''s official PR response.


    She''d been over the moon about it!


    She never imagined she''d live to see her grandson and granddaughter-inw showing affection in public.


    She''d always believed that, after so many years of marriage, the two of them had


    to care for each other in some way.


    Her mood lightened.


    And since Elodie and Jarrod seemed perfectly at ease with one another-no awkwardness from old scandals she chose not to bring.it up again. Instead, she pulled Elodie closer and said, "I heard about that Sylvie woman. She got what she deserved-locked up for her own foolish choices. There won''t be any more troublemakers like her bothering you anymore."


    The thought clearly satisfied her.


    So young, yet choosing such a path-well, that''s on her.


    Elodie simply smiled, soft and polite.


    She didn''t mention the fact that she''d nearly gotten into serious trouble that night.


    Clearly, Jarrod hadn''t said anything either.


    With Grandma''s weak heart, there was no point in frightening her.


    "Today I asked a few people from the old house toe over and cook something nice for you," Grandma said, patting Elodie''s hand. "I came by and saw your fridge was practically empty. Looks like you two are too busy to even cook! Tonight, Grandma''s making sure you eat well. Head to the kitchen and tell them if there''s anything you feel like."


    She paid no attention to her own grandson trailing behind.


    Jarrod just followed along, at peace with the situation, and ambled over to pour himself a ss of water.


    It was Elodie''s first time in the kitchen since the house had been renovated, though not much had changed.


    Except for one thing-


    She was surprised to see the familiar, cheerful yellow mini-fridge still tucked in its


    old spot.


    Back when she was taking so many tonics every month, she always kept the fridge stocked with dried fruit to eat with her medicine.