The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 271

Brooklyn couldn't finish her sentence before tears flooded down her face, as she slumped onto the table. Cordelia sat there, stupefied, guilt gnawing at her from inside. She didn't try to comfort Brooklyn.

Brooklyn wailed for a while, her hand pounding on the table, "The accounts for Cutie Pie’s Messenger and cell number both belong to you. The first time he came to the dorm, I noticed the way he looked at you. When you went abroad, he was reluctant to see you go. He knew you were married, pregnant, and he just silently admired you. He used me as a tool; every time he saw me, it was to see you. He went back to Roseville with you...”

Cordelia kept her head low, aimlessly fiddling with her fork.

Perhaps Edwin had named her Cutie Pie because they met at Evergreen Primary School, where Cordelia helped him fill up his car with gas. They had added each other on Messenger then, and so, he started calling her Cutie Pie. At that time, he didn't know Cordelia was married.

"You know it's impossible between us." Cordelia said, guilt oozing from her words.

"But nonetheless, his affection was for you. It can't be for anyone else. He might like someone else in the future, but that someone won't be me. I will always be a stand-in." Brooklyn said, "You should stay."

"Your words make it even harder for me to stay." Cordelia's eyes were blank as she stared at the dish in front of her. It was one of the few times in her life when she found food unappetizing.

Afterwards, Cordelia and Brooklyn fell into silence. They sat there, immersed in their quiet thoughts.

Earlier, Deanna had heard the crying from outside their private dining room. She told Ronan, "What a nutcase, crying and laughing like that."

"Isn't she allowed to cry when she's upset?" Ronan's tone carried a hint of reprimand towards Deanna.

"Were you eavesdropping just now?" Deanna asked Ronan, her voice laced with caution.