The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 222

Jamie's time in California was all about casual studying, nothing as strenuous as Cordelia's routine. She was forever buried in textbooks, with stress evident on her face.

Jamie would occasionally try to hang out with Cordelia, but she was always preoccupied. She would spend endless hours in the library, often staying up all night.

Time abroad seemed to fly.

Ronan once messaged Cordelia asking why she didn't choose Yale University. She never replied.

After moving to America, Cordelia became tanned and thin, sporting a trendy short haircut.

Four months had passed, and it was October. Cordelia was returning home for exams. She wanted to sneak back home, unnoticed, and return the same way. Before she left, Jamie gifted her a red bracelet with a golden rabbit charm.

Cordelia chuckled. "Shouldn't you have gotten me a charm of Athena? What's with the rabbit?"

The rabbit was quite large and gold, evidently not cheap.

"Do you get it? The rabbit is a symbol of prosperity. If you don't pass your exams, how can you attract wealth? How can my company make money?" Jamie explained.

"You're so tacky." Cordelia laughed.

"Where will you stay when you get home?" Jamie, who seemed genuinely concerned about Cordelia, asked her. "With him?"

"Of course not, I'll stay in a hotel. My mom's house is probably occupied by my brother, and I really don't want to go back there." Cordelia didn't want to see her brother, let alone Kendra.

She had a hunch that Kendra had played a significant role in their mother's death, but unless Kendra confessed, no one would ever know.

"Alright, message me as soon as you get home and when you're about to come back."

Cordelia nodded in agreement. Before boarding her flight, she messaged Brooklyn. [Heading back home for exams. Don't forget to treat me to some good food. I miss fish stew. Also, don't let Ronan know I'm back."

"Did you think you could hide it from him? He's been getting really close with Deanna these past few months."

Cordelia wasn't surprised. Deanna would be overjoyed if she never returned from abroad. They were old flames, after all. If Deanna was with him, she'd be relieved.