The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 192

"Ronan got hitched?" A sweet voice from the other end of the phone asked.

"Yeah, he did. I forgot to mention it to you. Grandpa and Ronan both miss you guys a lot, and they'd love for you to come to stay for a bit. What do you say?" Cordelia responded, her tone dripping with courtesy.

The voice on the other side fell silent for a while before asking, "Did something happen to my dad?"

Cordelia mumbled to herself, “Are all the Evans family this sharp?”

Olen, clearly aware of Ronan's reluctance for him to return, went straight to the point.

Knowing she couldn't hide it anymore, Cordelia said, "Yeah, Barney's sick..."

"I'll be there as soon as I can," He said, then hung up.

The "beep beep," sound from her phone told Cordelia that he'd hung up. "Barney, did I do okay?" Cordelia asked Barney.

Barney just smiled and didn't respond.

Cordelia was confused, wondering what she had said to cause Barney's reaction.

"Thanks, Della. Also, Ronan didn't tell me he had corneal transplant surgery, so you need to find a way to punish him," Barney said to Cordelia with a smile.

"Okay." Cordelia nodded. "Barney, why don't you blame me at all?"

"Is this about your birth?"

Cordelia nodded.

"You're fair, have good conduct, and are kind. That's enough for me. I've met your mom, Shelley, she's a woman with clear moral values. And I heard your dad donated his eye to Ronan. How can I thank you enough?" Barney's eyes welled up with tears.

"Barney..." Cordelia squeezed Barney's hand tightly.

"Go on, punish Ronan." Barney pushed Cordelia gently, then prepared to rest.

Cordelia went to the living room and saw Ronan smoking. He seemed to know all about Barney's illness.

"Barney told me to punish you," Cordelia said.