Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia) novel Chapter 6

Lorna's heart ached so fiercely that she nearly burst into tears, but she quickly bowed her head, covering her swollen cheek, fighting to keep her voice steady. "It's nothing, Lia. I just went overboard with the blush. You, um, you should return to your room."

Cordelia watched her silently before responding with a flat "Oh."

When Lorna thought she could finally sigh in relief, Cordelia skirted past her and headed downstairs.

Lorna's eyes widened in alarm, and she hurried after her. "Lia, Lia..."

The few people in the living room heard the commotion and turned their heads in unison.

Cordelia walked straight up to Laurinda, her expression blank, her beautiful eyes slightly vacant. But when she spoke, her voice was icy. "Why did you hit her?"

Laurinda was stunned. For the second, she felt Cordelia's presence was formidable, but she quickly shook off the feeling.

It was just a delusion, after all. Cordelia was just a girl, no older than Juliana.

She sat on the couch, slightly tilting her head up, and scoffed, "She gave birth to a fool, tarnishing the Delaney family name. Slapping her was letting her off easy!"

Lorna had caught up and stood protectively in front of Cordelia. "Laurinda, Lia is not a fool!"

"Not a fool?" Laurinda snorted, "Then, how would she look like this? Lorna, don't you feel sorry for yourself? I'm not asking for Cordelia to be as brilliant as Juliana. Just close enough in grades, I'd treat you with the utmost respect!"

Lorna's lips trembled, unable to speak.

"No need." Cordelia suddenly spoke up, her gaze steady on Laurinda, sweeping past Edwin and Belinda with a chilly tone. "If my grades are better than Juliana's, an apology to my mom will suffice."

With that, she took Lorna upstairs.

It wasn't until the pair disappeared up the stairs that Laurinda snapped back to reality, scoffing at Belinda's scrutinizing gaze, "She talked as if she could outdo Juliana in grades. Huh, in her dreams!"

-

Cordelia led Lorna back to her room.

Once the door was closed, Lorna's eyes brimmed with tears as she grasped Cordelia's hand, "Lia, did you just call me Mom?"

Cordelia stiffened, and her "Hmm" was noncommittal, with a hint of distance and awkwardness.

Despite knowing her parents hadn't abandoned her on purpose and holding no grudges against Lorna, the sudden introduction to a mother after eighteen years was unsettling.

Seeing Cordelia's reaction, Lorna didn't press further but lowered her head and began to ramble, "Lia, I'm sorry. I failed to keep you safe when you were born, and you went missing."

Her voice broke into sobs. "Your father and I have searched for so many years. Now we've finally brought you home, but you're still suffering due to me."

Cordelia awkwardly offered Lorna some tissues, uncertain how to comfort a crying adult.

Eventually, Lorna's tears subsided, and she looked up with reddened eyes, managing a small smile.

Cordelia's defense warmed her heart, but the memory of the evening's events and concern for Cordelia's stress made her comfort her daughter in return. "Lia, don't feel pressured and don't listen to what your grandma says. Grades don't define a person's worth, you know?"

Cordelia nodded blankly.

Lorna continued, "No matter what, you're the best in my eyes. I want you to be safe and happy. For you, I'll grow stronger. Don't worry!"

Cordelia murmured, "Okay."

Laurinda's slap wasn’t hard. The swelling had gone down when Sanderson came home. He hadn't noticed, and Lorna didn't mention it.