The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 64

"Why are you so chipper?" Ronan asked Cordelia on their way home in the evening.

Cordelia broke out into a satisfied laugh.

"You praised me for the first time, of course, I'm thrilled." She couldn't hide her joy.

"You're reading too much into it." Ronan smirked slightly.

"Why is that?"

"I don't want people thinking I'm not treating my wife right." Ronan said nonchalantly.

Cordelia turned her gaze to the window, ignoring Ronan. He always had a knack for putting a damper on things.

"Where are you going on your business trip?" Cordelia asked Ronan, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I'm going back to Birchwood, and don't spill the beans to grandpa."

"Why wouldn't you tell him about your trip?" Cordelia looked at Ronan surprised.

"Just don't, tell him it's for work."

"Isn't it for work?"

Ronan didn't answer, he simply looked straight ahead, silent.

“Fine, be that way!” Cordelia thought angrily.

Cordelia had spent another three weeks with the Evans family without any issues. To her surprise, Barney's health wasn't getting worse, it was actually improving. He would go for walks every morning, occasionally swim, and was very careful with his diet. He was full of determination and resolve to fight his illness.

Sometimes, Cordelia would accompany Barney on his walks or swims.

She once told him, "Grandpa, I admire your courage and optimism in fighting your illness."

Barney just smiled.

Cordelia felt that Barney was full of energy because he had something to look forward to.

How disappointed would he be if he found out she wasn't really pregnant?

During those twenty-something days, Cordelia even pretended to go for a check-up.

Finally, Ronan left for his business trip.

To her surprise, on the first day of his trip, Deanna invited Cordelia out for a meal.

She called Cordelia.

"What do you want? I'm afraid you'll secretly photograph me if I'm seen with you." Cordelia looked around cautiously.

Deanna chuckled, "Cordelia, you're hilarious. This place is for members only, the membership fee is $100,000 a year, and those paparazzi can't get in."

"What do you want?" Cordelia asked, a bit nervously, hoping to get to the point.

"Do you know why I'm wearing black today?"

"I have no idea." Cordelia shook her head, bewildered.

"Because tomorrow is my father's death anniversary."

Cordelia's mind went blank, that explained Deanna's black attire and possibly Ronan's business trip.

"Death anniversary? Your father passed away?" Cordelia asked.

"Yes. Every year on this anniversary, Ronan would go back to be with my mother. He's never missed it. I couldn't go back because I was afraid I'd cry uncontrollably. My father once saved Ronan, and Ronan bought a few houses for my mother in Birchwood and visits her every year. Ronan and I dated for a year, and we were very much in love. He worked his fingers to the bone to marry me, but I was angry at him for not spending time with me, so I went overseas. He called me dozens of times a day and even came to find me, but I didn't come back. Ronan was furious, he told me if I didn't return, he'd marry someone else within a year. Now I'm back, but the position of Mrs. Evans is already filled. A few days ago, he told me he'd marry me in a few days."

Cordelia thought, “Deanna probably said all this to make her abort the baby.”

She knew some of the history between Ronan and Deanna, because there were photos of Deanna in his house, and Deanna had always tried to win Ronan back, hoping that Cordelia would divorce him.

Cordelia was somewhat aware of Ronan's future plans to marry Deanna.