That night, Elodie was in high spirits and too restless to sleep alone, so she shared a room with Nadia.


    Jarrod didn''t object; he stayed with her, keeping herpany through the night.


    The next morning, everything was already set. Jarrod had arranged a private jet for their return home, making sure to bring along a professional team, since Nadia would be traveling with them. The n was to escort Nadia safely back, and then the team would return to the States. With such a long flight ahead, Jarrod had anticipated every possibleplication.


    New York was milder than back home, so they chose an afternoon departure. Thirteen hourster, their ne touched down-by then, it was already three in the afternoon.


    Nadia''s situation was serious-far too important for just Elodie and Jarrod to handle alone. None of the family elders knew yet, so Jarrod discussed things with Elodie in advance. Together, they decided to invite Rosemary and Emile over to the Silverstein mansion, where they could share the news with everyone present. It would be best for both families'' elders to meet Nadia at the same time.


    Elodie agreed, but she knew her grandmother-Rosemary-would need a personal heads-up first. Otherwise, given her temper, she might refuse the invitation outright. So before takeoff, Elodie called Rosemary. Although Rosemary didn''t know why she was being summoned to the Silverstein home, she trusted Elodie''s judgment-her granddaughter never acted rashly. Sensing the urgency, she agreed toe.


    When Elodie and Jarrod stepped off the ne, Andrea was already waiting outside with the car-a spacious,fortable limousine, perfect for the long ride. Jarrod carried Nadia in his arms; after so long, Elodie was grateful for the help.


    As they pulled up to the Silverstein estate, Elodie felt a strange mixture of emotions. So much had happened here-old wounds and tangled memories. Now, everything was about to change.


    Jarrod, still holding the now-awake


    Nadia, freed one hand to squeeze Elodie''s. "Why so tense, Mrs. Silverstein? You''re home," he teased, a smile ying at his lips. That gentle teasing eased some of her nerves, especially when he called her "Mrs. Silverstein." She squeezed his hand in return, and together they walked down the covered walkway, as if returning victorious from battle.  s


    Inside the sitting room, the atmosphere was tense-years ofplicated history lingered in the air, demanding resolution.


    Rosemary sat upright, her


    expression perfectlyposed. She


    neither criticized nor weed the Silverstein''s, simply maintaining a polite@istance. Henrietta, Jarrod''s grandmother, understood the unspoken grievances. She sighed Softly. "Rosemary, Jarrod was out of line before. I can''t excuse it, but I hope it won''te between the two of us."  s


    After all, Jarrod''s grandfather and Old Mr. Thorne had beenrades-in-arms for decades. The two women had known each other nearly as long; their rtionship<fn8163> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? Find_Novel(.</fn8163>


    had always been close. Now, Henrietta only felt regret.


    "I hope you understand a


    grandmother''s heart," Rosemary replied, her voice trembling just a little. "Elodie is everything to me. When she suffers, I suffer And with her illness... Well, most illnesses are brought on by distress, aren''t they? Now she may never have children of her own. Who else will care for her like I do?"  s


    The pain in her voice was unmistakable. Rosemary knew all too well how much Elodie loved children. Henrietta''s face grew stiff, sadness flickering in her eyes. She loved Elodie too, but the future seemed so uncertain.


    Lucinda Howard, sitting quietly nearby, said nothing. Jarrod had made his intentions clear to her. She trusted her son-if he said he would spend his life with Elodie, then he meant it, even if they never had children of their own.