The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 600

As Harold ripped open the package, his buddies couldn't resist teasing him. “Wow, someone’s got a lot of TLC! Did your girlfriend send this? Bet she was crushed when she heard about your injury.”

The mention of "girlfriend" immediately brought Cordelia to Harold's mind, though he wasn't certain.

When his friend said someone was looking for him, Harold hesitated for a moment, feeling a flicker of hope. Who sent him these goodies?

Stepping outside, he saw Samantha standing there, and disappointment washed over him.

“Hey, cousin,” Harold greeted her, trying to mask his letdown.

Samantha, noticing the sling around Harold’s arm, quickly asked, “What happened to you?”

“Just a little training accident, cousin. Did you send the ribs and chicken soup?” Harold asked.

Samantha thought to herself, she had just learned about his injury. How could she have sent those things? Besides, taking credit for something she didn't do would eventually backfire, and Harold's opinion of her would tank.

“Oh no, not me,” Samantha replied. “Where did it come from?”

“Millstone.”

“Millstone? That's definitely Cordelia, who else? Can’t think of anyone else,” Samantha said, knowing her visit was to cozy up to Cordelia, and this was the perfect excuse to talk to her.

“Oh, I haven’t asked yet,” Harold said.

Since joining the army, Harold rarely messaged Cordelia. His decision to enlist was somewhat influenced by her. But if Cordelia had sent the care package, he felt a mix of gratitude and nervousness.

Samantha had come to check on Harold, partly to ensure he wasn’t getting too close to any potential girlfriends during his training. Somewhat reassured, she then flew back to Millstone.

Cordelia lay silent in bed.

As soon as Ronan walked in, he took her hand. “You alright?”

Cordelia turned her head away, ignoring him. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke, “The baby was yours. I terminated the pregnancy because you told me you were marrying Petra. I thought, what’s the point in keeping it then? Petra even came asking whose it was. I couldn’t tell her the truth, just beat around the bush. And then you tell me your marriage is a sham? Why keep deceiving me like this?”

With that, Cordelia burst into tears, her voice trembling with vulnerability, “If you’re married, be married. If not, don’t. But you, flirting with Petra and keeping things murky with me, you’ve put me in the role of the other woman, I…”

Ronan gripped her hand tighter. “I’m the one at fault.”

It was probably the first time Ronan had ever said “I’m sorry” in his life.