Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia) novel Chapter 156

Chapter 156 

Paulina was taken aback by Merry’s words, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. 

Merry’s words had sent her mind spiraling back to when Merry was just a newborn, so fragile and tiny, cradled in her arms. 

Leila was the one who would cry and act coquettishly, and thus, she would be fed first. 

But Merry seemed to have been born optimistic, full of life and activity, gazing earnestly at her mother whenever she was hungry. 

So, after preparing the formula, Paulina would instinctively tend to Leila first to quiet her cries. 

As the girls grew, they began to sleep in separate rooms at the age of five. 

Both daughters were initially fearful, and although Paulina and Cain, had agreed to accompany one of them, Cain was often held up with work and didn’t make it home. 

Reluctantly, Paulina left Merry to sleep alone that night as Leila pleaded for her. 

Concerned for Merry, Paulina checked on her in the middle of the night and found her wide awake, quietly staring at the door. 

Startled, Paulina asked her why she wasn’t asleep. 

“Mom, I’ll be really good from now on, will you stay with me?” Merry pleaded, melting Paulina’s heart. 

But as time went on, whenever Leila cried or fussed, Paulina found herself attending to her, gradually losing the ability to read Merry’s emotions. 

Merry had grown up, her personality now prickly, her stubbornness and aloofness making Paulina tough to understand. 

Sighing at the thought, Paulina reached out to stroke Merry’s hair, unaware that her touch made Merry flinch and her eyes betray a hint of panic. 

As Paulina was about to speak, Leila entered, carrying a glass of water that swayed precariously in her grip. Merry tensed at the sight. 

Leila beamed, “Mom, that school’s really doing wonders. Merry used to hate memorizing all those classic texts, and look at her now, all diligent.” 

Paulina blinked in surprise. 

Leila continued, “Keep it up, Merry. In a few months, we might both get into the same college.” 

It dawned on Paulina then, and in just a week, she had seen the return of Merry’s former sweet and sensible demeanor. 

It seemed that the strict discipline of the military–style school was indeed effective. 

“Just hang in there, sweetheart, it’s only for six months,” Paulina encouraged, setting down a glass of milk, “Now, back to your studies.” 

Merry fixated on the glass in Leila’s hand, feeling the suffocation creeping back in as if her throat was being constricted. Taking deep breaths, she turned back to her book and began to read Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” as Leila left the room with a sly smile. 

When Cordelia and the others arrived, Paulina was busy preparing dinner. 

Her face tensed at their arrival, Merry had just started being good again, and she worried that interacting with these three might set her back, especially… 

Her gaze fell on Yates‘ fiery red hair. 

1/3 

It was a tricky one. 

Still, Yates was not someone to offend lightly, so she put on a smile, “Are you here to see Merry? She’s upstairs studying.” 

Checking the clock, Paulina added, “You know what, why don’t you all stay for dinner?” 

Hopefully, a quick meal wouldn’t distract Merry too much. 

Cordelia declined, “No, we just need to talk to Little Parrot for a moment and then we’ll leave.” 

Reluctantly, Paulina allowed them upstairs. 

Arriving at Merry’s room, they overheard her reciting. 

Cordelia and Yates exchanged puzzled looks. 

“Did we get the wrong room?” Cordelia wondered, contemplating if they’d mistakenly entered Leila’s. 

Yates shook his head, “No, I’ve been here before. It’s definitely Merry’s room.” 

As he reached to knock, the door, not properly closed, swung open. 

Inside, they saw a new side of Merry, free from bold makeup, her delicate features on display. Startled by their presence, she trembled slightly. 

Recognizing them, she widened her eyes, her lips parting as if to speak, but she seemed lost for words. 

Cordelia felt an inexplicable twinge of pity and softly called out, “Little Parrot.” 

Merry murmured a response and quickly dropped her gaze, “Lia, I’ve got to study. No time. You should go.” 

i 

The strict guidelines of her school echoed in her mind, any failure to memorize the assigned texts would result in punishment. 

Despair and pain that no one understood clouded her thoughts, and she saw no light. 

After urging them to leave, she turned back to her text, her voice tinged with desperation. 

She scrambled for her book, her voice trembling as she continued. 

Cordelia found the transformation odd. When had Little Parrot become such a hard worker? 

Before she could inquire, Leila entered. “Merry’s got a lot of homework, so she can’t talk with you. You should leave.”