The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 282

Returning home, Cordelia was exhausted and retreated to her room for some rest. Her phone buzzed with a new message on Messenger: [Cordelia, it's Edwin's birthday on the 25th. I've invited you to come, please do.]

Cordelia remembered what Brooklyn had told her, and felt awkward. [Maybe I shouldn't come. I'm heavily pregnant.]

Brooklyn: [If you don't come, he won't celebrate. I found out from my sister that today is his birthday. He's never been big on celebrating. But when I told him this year, Cordelia and I will celebrate with him, he agreed. We're planning to go to the countryside. It'll be good for a pregnant woman like you.]

Cordelia: [Are you chasing him, or are you using me to chase him?]

Brooklyn was silent for a while. [I know that he only comes out when you're around.] Brooklyn replied after a pause.

Cordelia: [Then I'll invite Ronan, not sure if he'll come.]

Brooklyn: [That would be great. The four of us can have a nice outing. It's a Saturday.]

Cordelia thought Brooklyn's method of pursuing a man was wrong. Brooklyn seemed to demean herself in front of Edwin. She used to be such a vivacious and cheerful girl.

Cordelia felt conflicted. She didn't want to go, but she wanted to help Brooklyn.

At dinner, Cordelia emerged from her room. She saw Ronan standing at her doorway, about to knock.

"Dinner?" Cordelia asked Ronan. Her doe-like eyes looked up at him.

"Yes." After saying this, Ronan took Cordelia's hand and led her to the dinner table. Cordelia always felt her defenses crumbling whenever Ronan displayed such casual kindness.

Today, Janice had made tortellini.

"Is there something special today?" Cordelia asked Ronan.

"Do we need a special occasion to eat?" Ronan questioned.

Cordelia believed that only for very joyous occasions would he eat Tortellini. Even Janice didn't know about his liking for them.

"Do you have plans this Saturday?" Cordelia asked while eating.

"Do you? Tell me about it." Ronan's voice was calm. It was one of the rare moments when he wasn't quick-tempered since Cordelia got pregnant.

"It's Edwin's birthday. Brooklyn invited me. They're planning to go to the countryside. I can't go alone, so I was wondering if you could come with me. Is it okay?" Cordelia asked him.