Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia) novel Chapter 1

In the oppressive swelter of August, a sense of restlessness pervaded the air.

Outside the orphanage gate, a well-kept middle-aged woman, her eyes swollen and red from crying, barely able to stand, was supported by her husband, Sanderson Delaney. "Is this our poor lost daughter?" she asked.

Sanderson also had reddened eyes, nodding. "Yes."

Sanderson and his childhood sweetheart, Lorna Wilson, were a picture of marital bliss, but their daughter went missing under tragic circumstances. After 18 years of searching, hope had faded. Yet, surprisingly, their prayers were answered when they found her in an orphanage.

Sanderson's gaze shifted to the two approaching him, settling on the polite girl trailing behind the headmistress.

She sported a white baseball cap, dressed in a clean set of blue jeans and a t-shirt, her hair neatly tied back in a ponytail, and her fair face featured delicate features, with beautiful and clear eyes looking at them, misty and bewildered.

Compared to the emotional couple, she seemed too calm.

Sanderson blinked in confusion.

As they drew closer, the headmistress presented the girl to them. "Mr. and Mrs. Delaney, this is Cordelia Delaney."

Turning to the girl, she said, "Lia, these are your parents. They've come to take you home."

After hearing that, Cordelia's gaze finally focused, settling on Lorna.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Lorna looked at her with restraint and longing, her lips trembling with the desire to connect, yet tentative for fear of rejection.

After a moment, Cordelia spoke softly, "Hello." Her tone was distant, somewhat indifferent.

Oblivious to the oddity, Lorna couldn't contain herself and embraced her daughter tightly, weeping loudly. "Oh, my darling girl, I have finally found you! You've suffered so much..."

The soft and warm embrace made Cordelia stiffen, unaccustomed to such affection.

Yet, pushing her away seemed too harsh.

Caught in her dilemma, Cordelia noticed Sanderson signaling the headmistress, and they stepped away slightly. In a voice he thought she couldn't hear, Sanderson asked the headmistress in a low tone, "Miss, there's nothing wrong with Lia, is there?" gesturing to his head.