The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 104

Ronan sparked up a cigarette, lounging on the bedroom couch. His eyes were fixed on Cordelia, lost in thought.

"Whatcha thinking about?"

"Nothing," Cordelia replied, although her mind was racing. “Did Jamie lie to me? Who bought that dress?”

Just as she was zoning out, the doorbell rang downstairs.

After Janice opened the door, they heard a voice. "Mr. Evans, Mr. Evans..."

Cordelia nearly jumped out of her skin. It was Jamie's voice. She felt a mix of confusion and anxiety. She remembered the last time Jamie had barged into her home.

"Do I need to hide?" Cordelia asked Ronan, puzzled.

"What's going on between you two? Why would you need to hide?" Ronan replied calmly, although his eyes were icy cold.

"I..." She wasn't sure why Jamie was here, and if it had anything to do with the clothes.

Jamie entered Ronan's room, gave Cordelia a fleeting glance, then knelt in front of Ronan. Cordelia was taken aback, watching from the side.

"Mr. Evans, please spare my father. He's in his sixties with serious health issues. If you want to take revenge, take it out on me," Jamie pleaded, his hands gripping Ronan's knees.

Cordelia thought to herself, “Jamie's father, Thomas? What the heck happened?”

"Son paying for his father's sins? Not interested." Ronan said slowly, his legs crossed, looking at Jamie kneeling before him.

"I know, you're really after me. My father is scared shitless and is being investigated by the prosecutor's office. If charged, he may face 20 years in prison. With his health conditions, he might not even make it that long..." Jamie was crying, his hands still holding onto Ronan's knees.

"You're overthinking," replied Ronan.

"I screwed up, Mr. Evans. I shouldn't have bought Ms. Haselwood... I shouldn't have bought Mrs. Evans those clothes. I like her a lot. I know you're upset because of this..." Jamie confessed.

"Bought her clothes?" Ronan seemed puzzled. "What clothes?"

As he passed Cordelia, he wanted to look at her, but he didn't.

Throughout, Ronan's voice was soft, very gentle. But Cordelia felt a chill running through her, her breath quickening. It was as if everything was under Ronan's control, and she had no idea what went wrong.

It was a while after Jamie left that Cordelia managed to force a smile. It was stiff and awkward.

"Husband, you misunderstood, right?" Cordelia asked Ronan.

"Yeah, I misunderstood. Didn't expect him to stir up trouble." Ronan lit another cigarette. As he pulled out his lighter, Cordelia took it from him, saying, "I got it."

Her hands were shaking as she lit Ronan's cigarette. Maybe deep down she knew that Jamie was a big shot in Millstone too. But now, he was kneeling in front of Ronan, spilling all his secrets. She was just a nobody. Trying to play games with Ronan was like signing her own death warrant.

So, what was Ronan's motive today? Was he trying to warn her through Jamie?

If Cordelia had any future dealings with Jamie, God knows who'd be the unlucky one!