Elodie and Alexander booked their return flights.

This trip had been an eye-opener for Elodie; she felt her mind expanding with new ideas and couldn’t wait to get back and discuss the feasibility of her thoughts with the professors at the institute.

She also had a clearer sense now of how different countries approached technological innovation.

On their way home, they didn’t run into Jarrod or his group again.

The moment Elodie set foot back in Eldermere, she headed straight for the Sterling estate.

She barely noticed the exhaustion from her long flight; adrenaline fueled her, as if the sheer thrill of scientific discovery could override her body’s need for rest.

But when Charlie caught sight of Elodie’s pale face, he frowned and waved her off. “Go look in a mirror-see what you look like? Get some sleep first, then come find me when you’re human again.”

Unceremoniously, Charlie shooed her off to her old room to rest.

Alexander gave Charlie a thumbs-up as Elodie trudged away.

She didn’t sleep long, but as soon as she woke, she launched into her stream of ideas with Charlie.

Charlie was a fantastic mentor, always able to pinpoint exactly where she was stumbling and offer just the right nudge.

Elodie was the kind of student who only needed a hint she never required lengthy explanations.

By the end of their conversation, Charlie finally commented, “I’ve heard a bit about Waldron. Don’t bother with him. Ignore him and he’ll give up soon enough.”

Running off to give technical advice at Neural Intelligence-did he really have nothing better to do?

Elodie didn’t mention that Jarrod had been the one to invite Charlie to help Sylvie. She simply nodded in agreement.

She didn’t linger long at the Sterling estate. There was still her own home to return to-her plants would be thirsty by now.

She had barely arrived home when her grandmother’s name flashed on her phone.

Her grandmother rarely called, so Elodie answered at once. “Hi, Grandma?”

Her grandmother’s voice bubbled with warmth. “Sweetheart, are you home from work?”

Elodie didn’t bother explaining she’d been away on business. “Yeah, I just got in. Is everything alright?”

“Oh, nothing urgent,” her

grandmother replied. “I just wanted to ask about Jarrod’s birthday the day after tomorrow. Are you two coming home to celebrate? Should I have something prepared, orare you planning to celebrate on your own?”

Elodie frowned and glanced at her calendar. She’d totally forgotten Jarrod’s birthday was coming up.

She had no intention of going home and putting on a show, so she replied lightly, “No need to prepare anything, Grandma. We’ll probably celebrate out somewhere.”

“That’s fine too, sweetheart. If you have time, do come home soon. I’ll have someone send you some supplements-I’m sure you’ve nearly finished the last batch I asked Jarrod to bring over, right?”

Elodie’s voice didn’t waver. “Mm-hmm.”

She hadn’t known Jarrod was supposed to bring her supplements, but she trusted

he’d handle it without actually delivering them to her.

“Alright then, it’s getting late. Take care and get some rest.”

“Good night, Grandma.”

After hanging up, Elodie didn’t give Jarrod’s birthday another thought.

Back when they were together, she used to make a big deal out of his birthday buying thoughtful gifts, preparing a homemade dinner,-

baking a cake herself since hnet

tastes were the opposite of hers and he didn’t like anything too sweet. The cakes from local bakeries were always too sugary, so she would make a reduced-sugar version just for him.

Jarrod had only indulged her once, and that was because he had to catch an international flight for work the same evening. He blew out the candles under her eager gaze, t then hurried off. Every year after that, he was always too busy, making it clear ahead of time he wouldn’t be home, so there was no need for her to bother or wait.

His birthdays went that way, and so did hers.

Now that she was out of that cycle and focused on her own life, she felt perfectly fine. If her grandmother hadn’t mentioned it, she wouldn’t have remembered at all.

That evening, Jarrod dropped by the old family house to visit his grandmother.