Joseph was a little surprised, too.

After all, Elodie had already asked him last night which hospital Jarrod was in.

He’d instinctively assumed she was worried, maybe wanted to visit-perhaps out of lingering affection or gratitude, she’d come to see him or help out.

But she hadn’t shown up at all.

Now it was Maurice’s turn to be surprised.

“Don’t you think she’s been acting really strange lately?”

Something seemed to click for him, and he slapped his hand on the table. “Wait,

is it possible Elodie’s got something going on with Alexander?”

Could she have decided that if Jarrod wasn’t attainable, she’d settle for Alexander, who was always around? After all, the divorce was official now.

Anything was possible.

Especially since Elodie and Alexander had even worn matching scarves a while back.

A frown creased Joseph’s brow.

He didn’t think Elodie was the type to jump from one relationship to another so quickly. She wouldn’t just throw herself into something new right after a divorce. Besides, that kind of speculation felt unfair to her.

“You’d make a great tabloid reporter, you know that?” Jarrod’s tone was even, almost cold. He shot Maurice a bland look, clearly uninterested in the gossip.

Maurice, undeterred, still saw things from Jarrod’s perspective. He pulled out his phone. “I just think, with you being this badly hurt and her not caring at all, it’s a bit much. I’m pretty sure I still have her number. I’ll call her and ask what her deal is.”

Jarrod didn’t even bother to respond. He lowered his gaze and returned to his emails.

Elodie woke up early.

For once, she felt well-rested and decided to take a stroll in the park next to her apartment complex.

When she got home, she was in such a good mood that she made herself breakfast—a rare luxury these days, since work had kept her too busy to cook.

She prepared a pot of porridge, tossed together a light salad, and fried a perfect soft-boiled egg.

It felt good to reclaim a bit of routine for herself.

She’d only made it halfway through breakfast when her phone lit up with a familiar number.

Over the years, she’d memorized every detail about Jarrod’s life-she even recognized his friends’ numbers. Sometimes they’d call her to pick up Jarrod after he’d had too much to drink.

Maurice’s number was one she’d deleted the day she handed over the divorce papers.

Now he was calling again.

She knew it was about Jarrod.

Elodie glanced at the screen, her expression unreadable, then pressed decline. She finished her breakfast in peace.

She already knew from Joseph which hospital and which room Jarrod was in. The reason she hadn’t gone right away was simple: They didn’t need her hovering or fussing over him yesterday. There was no point in forcing herself into the situation.

Besides, Jarrod’s attempts at protection weren’t for her benefit-she’d only gotten caught up in his choices by mistake. She had no intention of playing the grateful ex-wife.

After she’d eaten, she tidied up at her own pace before finally heading out. She drove straight to the hospital.

There was a convenience store downstairs, still serving breakfast at this hour. Elodie hesitated—showing up empty-handed felt wrong-so she bought some porridge and a couple of steamed buns before heading upstairs.

She arrived just as Keith was leaving Jarrod’s room.

He looked a little conflicted when he saw her. “Ms. Thorne, Mr. Silverstein just finished having his bandages changed. Are you planning to stay and look after him?”

Elodie paused, met his gaze, but didn’t answer.

Sensing her coolness, Keith frowned and said, “If you have anything to say, please make it quick. Ms. Fielding will be back soon.”

Ms. Fielding was worried and had decided to stay with Jarrod. Right now she was downstairs consulting with the doctors, hoping to avoid running into Elodie and creating any unnecessary tension.

“Is that Jarrod’s idea?” Elodie asked calmly, her eyes steady.

Keith fell silent instantly, his face flickering with surprise and discomfort.