"She''d had people watching Patricia for ages, but they''d never managed to dig up
anything substantial-meanwhile, Jarrod had already struck a decisive blow.
"If you don''t want anyone to find out, don''t do it in the first ce," Jarrod said, his
tone t as he scanned the menu, methodically picking out dishes. "With her kind
of extreme personality, nothing she does would surprise me. Especially after all
those years overseas... she''s picked up plenty of bad habits."
Elodie nced over the menu and noticed that everything he chose was
something she liked. Even thest dish-a red bean dessert-was her favorite.
She''d always thought Jarrod never really paid attention to her, but now, with some
distance from her old feelings, she could finally see the details she''d missed
before.
"But how did you know when she''d actually do something like that? Those things
are pretty private," Elodie asked, setting the menu aside.
He''d taken care of ordering everything, sparing her the trouble.
"Walls have ears. If you want to live in the spotlight, you''d better be ready to pay
the price."
With his connections in Eldermere, there was almost nothing Jarrod couldn''t find
out.
It dawned on Elodie-he must have ced some informant close to Patricia.
She could imagine what a shock this must be for someone as spoiled and willful
as Patricia. Abroad, anything might fly, but back home, those antics wouldn''t be
tolerated.
The food arrived, dish by dish.
Jarrod poured hot water over Elodie''s utensils, then slipped on a pair of
disposable gloves and started peeling the bright, salt-baked prawns-without
even touching his own te.
He ced the peeled prawns neatly onto Elodie''s small dish.
She frowned. "Eat your own food. You don''t need to do this for me."
Jarrod nced up with a half-smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes. "Don''t get the
wrong idea. I''m not trying to win you over."
"Then what are you doing?" Elodie pressed.
He peeled another prawn, his voice soft. "That kiss earlier-I shouldn''t have done
it without asking. Think of this as my apology."
Elodie stared at him, speechless.
He didn''t look the slightest bit sorry. The nonchnt pace of his words made it
clear he was doing this entirely on purpose.
He''d never been so "considerate" about moments of closeness before.
"I know your appetite hasn''t been
greattely, but you should try to eat
well and keep up your strength. It''ll
help with your surgeryter. If
there''s anything you want, just let
me know-I''ll have someone help
you get your digestion back on
track." Jarrod was teasing her, but
there was something heavy in his
tone, a worry that pressed on him
every time he saw how thin she''d
be.
He couldn''t stand watching it day after day.
Every little thing about Elodie-he insisted on handling personally.
Outside the restaurant, Maurice and Joseph Dcroix arrived just in time to
witness the scene through the window.
They''d known Jarrod for years. In
their social circle, he was
untouchable-the golden boy,
admired by everyone, always proud
and never stooping to the ordinary.
But now...
They could hardly believe their eyes.
Jarrod, sleeves rolled up, humbling
himself to do these small, thoughtful
things for the woman beside
him-he didn''t even take a single bite
for himself. Whenever Elodie so
much as nced at a dish, he''d
move it closer to her. He poured her
soup, tucked a stray strand of hair
behind her ear, refilled her tea at just
the right moments.
When had Jarrod ever been the type to take care of someone like this?
If he hadn''t been through years of tough training, would he be this good at it now?
Maurice stood there, his jaw nearly on the floor. It took him a full minute before he
managed to mutter, "Was I totally blind all these years?"
How had he never realized Jarrod had a side like this?"
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