The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 15

Cordelia moved into the company's housing, right across from the office. It was super close. This way, she could save on travel expenses and rent.

She shared the house with Brooklyn and two girls from the customer service department. The house wasn't big, and because they moved in later, the two other girls had already taken the sun-facing rooms. Brooklyn wanted to argue about it, but Cordelia said, “No name on the door, if they've already moved in, just let them be.”

So, Brooklyn dropped it.

Cordelia even gave Brooklyn the slightly bigger room and chose the smallest one for herself. There were no windows in her room, and the ventilation was poor. It was summer, the room was still stuffy and humid.

After a few days, Cordelia found her dim room not quite up to snuff. The apartment block had many rooms, and theirs was in a not-so-great location, hers being the worst. She often had to dry her laundry in the bathroom first before taking it back to her room.

However, the company's housing was located on the pricey Magnolia Terrace in Millstone, where housing prices were the highest in the country and were a hot commodity. Rent would take up almost all the salary of a fresh grad, so you had to apply as soon as you got a full-time position. If you were late, you'd be out of luck. Cordelia knew this, so she didn't fuss.

On Friday, Cordelia got her period. She thought to herself, “Finally, I don't have to worry about whether or not Ronan and I should have sex when I go back to Barney's.”

That night, Cordelia got a message from Ronan. [We're going back to my grandpa's tomorrow. Prepare yourself.]

[Sure, Mr. Evans, wait for me near The Artful Brew at the end of Magnolia Terrace.]

She was worried that if Ronan picked her up at the dorm, her colleagues would gossip.

On Saturday, Cordelia got into Ronan's car.

This time, Ronan switched to a high-end Mercedes, not as flashy as the Maybach. As usual, they sat in the back seat without much conversation. Suddenly, Ronan sniffed and asked, “What's that smell?”

Cordelia sniffed it, too, but didn't smell anything in particular.

Ronan squinted at Cordelia, “Your clothes, why do they smell like that?”

Cordelia was so used to the smell that she didn't realize what it was. She only felt embarrassed that Ronan had noticed a strange smell on her. She was a girl, after all.

She thought for a second, “Is it like a damp smell?”

But now, her closest family were all gone. She didn't know if her mom would ever get to call her Della again in this life.

Barney was the only one in the world who called her Della now.

Cordelia's hand froze in mid-air as she was eating, she felt incredibly guilty. She thought Barney's wish might not come true. She agreed to marry Ronan for the sake of the agreement, but they hadn't planned on having kids. If they did, she would have had more strings attached.

“Grandpa, you've always been an intellectual, advocating for personal growth. Why are you suddenly so interested in kids?” Ronan tried to change the subject for Cordelia.

“Ah, it's not...” Barney's eyes dimmed a bit. His past and current thoughts were worlds apart.

Seeing Barney like this, Ronan didn't say anything. He knew his grandpa's wish was impossible. Cordelia also felt down. Remembering her father's last moments and looking at Barney, she felt even sadder.

Once back in her room, Cordelia made a point to leave her tampon right on the nightstand.

Ronan spotted it immediately, and he got the message.