The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 107

"Jamie only said it was your hubby's money as a way to take a jab at Ronan for not covering your tab.

But lo and behold, your sly husband saw an opening, planned to throw Jamie under the bus, and

suddenly it's cool to blackmail a rival with whatever Mr. Thomas did in his youth? Jamie's got no clue!

So what can he do if Ronan gets Mr. Thomas thrown into the slammer for 20 years? Just do nothing?!

Jamie's been holed up at home over this, not eating or drinking for days! Drop him a message, give

him a pep talk! It's your mess, you sort it out!" With that, Adrian stormed off.

Adrian only had Jamie's back because he wanted Cordelia and Jamie to be an item. That way, he

could score more perks from Jamie. Plus, Ronan was too stingy. Also, if Jamie and Cordelia hooked

up, Kendra would stop pestering Jamie. Although Kendra seemed loose, she was still a virgin when

she was with Adrian, which was a real shock to him. Virgins were hard to come by these days.

For the first time, Cordelia found herself agreeing with Adrian's words.

Maybe that was what made her feel a little wary of Ronan. He was quick on his feet, could spot

connections between things in the blink of an eye, and make snap decisions.

Cordelia stirred her coffee. Adrian didn't take the books and notebooks. They were still there. Cordelia

picked them up. A note fell out from the book. [Cordelia, I've been too ashamed to see you. But the

book and the notebook are innocent. They could help you in the future. Take them.]

Cordelia chuckled. Jamie must have felt humiliated being seen by her, kneeling before Ronan. But it

wasn't his fault, he was just being dutiful.

She sent Jamie a message. [Mr. Colby, don't overthink it. Got the books and the notebook.]

Cordelia put the books and the notebook into her bag. She had to hide them well when she got home.

...

Before Ronan even made it to the office in the morning, Deanna called. It was her dad's death

anniversary.

Ronan almost forgot. "Where are you? Should I pick you up?" Ronan said, frowning.

"Ronan, Mom, and I are at the community gate. We thought you'd come get us, but..." Deanna broke

down as she finished her sentence, sobbing. "You haven't called. You forgot, didn't you?"

"Of course not. I'm on my way." Ronan made a U-turn and headed for Sunnydale Meadows.

Sure enough, Leila and Deanna were there, their eyes filled with sadness.

Deanna hopped in the front seat, while Leila sat in the back. Ronan drove towards Birchwood. When

Deanna got in the car, she saw a bag on the front seat. It was a lunch box. She moved it to the

dashboard.

Cordelia had bragged about her lunch box on Facebook the day before. Ronan even commented on it!

Turned out, not only did Cordelia prepare her own lunch, but she also made one for Ronan too.

To Deanna's surprise, Ronan actually brought the lunch. He was willing to bring a lunch made by

another woman! Were they really that close? ,It sent a chill down Deanna's spine.

She pretended to wipe away tears, sobbing. "Dad's been gone for six years, but he hasn't truly left us.

He lives on in our hearts. How could you forget him, Ronan?"

"I didn't." Ronan answered, a slight frown on his face.

"I remember Deanna's father said before he died, although he couldn't live on, he hoped to bring light

to others..." Leila trailed off, sobbing. "Ronan, you and Deanna, you used to be so close. I thought you

were going to be my son-in-law, but..."

"Mom, Ronan is married. Stop talking nonsense." Deanna snapped at Leila.

"Ok. Let's go visit your father." Leila wiped away her tears and changed the subject.

"Mom, did you bring any food? I haven't eaten since I got home from work last night; didn't have

breakfast either while waiting for Ronan. I'm really hungry now. My stomach is aching a bit." Deanna ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

clutched her stomach.

"I was going to visit your father. I didn't have time to prepare food!" Leila scolded Deanna. "We're on

the highway now. There's no place to buy food. It would take a long time to get to a rest stop to eat. We

don't have that much time."

"There's food in that bag. Eat that." Ronan pointed at a bag. "It should still be warm."

Deanna opened the bag. The food inside was still warm. She thought, “Cordelia really takes care of

Ronan. She prepared so many dishes for him, even coffee!”

"Did your housekeeper make this? It looks delicious. I'll take a picture and send it to my assistant. She

can learn from it." Deanna took out her phone and snapped a picture.

"No, Cordelia made it," Ronan answered, frowning.

"Oh, it was Cordelia. I'm sorry, Ronan. I thought such a task..." Deanna pretended to be embarrassed.

She didn't finish her sentence, but her point was clear. She thought such a task should be done by a

housekeeper.

Deanna started eating. She had barely taken a bite of the first beef steak when she stopped and gave

a cry.

"What's wrong?" Ronan glanced at Deanna, noticing her painful expression.

"The meat is undercooked and there's too much salt. But it's okay, I'm really hungry now, I won't be

picky. I'm just glad there's something to eat," Deanna continued to eat.

Ronan thought, “Cordelia really needs to improve her cooking skills.”

Deanna definitely looked famished. She wolfed down everything Ronan brought and even finished off

the coffee, not leaving a drop for him.

"Sorry, Ronan, I kind of ate all your food. I'll make it up to you somehow." Deanna wiped her mouth.

Cordelia surely had a knack for cooking, the fried steak was delish, but Deanna said it was gross. Well,

it was all in her belly now, so Ronan couldn't taste it anyway.

"It's just a meal, no biggie," Ronan said.

"No matter how small the favor, I'll repay it in full. Speaking of which, you used to always be with

Cordelia, going to and from work. How come she's not here? Wasn't she supposed to come with you?"

Deanna asked curiously.

"She's not in the loop."

"Really?" Deanna shot Leila a glance. If she was out of the picture, things would be easier. She

continued, "Where did she go?"

"She said she was visiting a classmate." Ronan replied.

"Visiting a classmate..." Deanna mused.

By eleven, Ronan's car pulled up to Birchwood.

At Deanna's father's grave, Ronan expressed that for the past few years he'd been taking care of

Deanna and her mother, living up to the expectations set by her father.

"Father, Ronan's been very good to us. He's married now but he hasn't let you down," Deanna said.