The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 327

"Loads of kids, some barely teenagers, go off to the States all on their own, and they're just fine. I'm in my twenties. What's wrong with me going to the States? Plus, I wasn't alone when I was there." Cordelia squinted her eyes as she spoke.

"Who else was there?" Ronan asked her.

He knew she was referring to Jamie.

He had always been bothered by the time she and Jamie had spent together in the States.

"Plenty of friends." Cordelia blinked. "I'm pretty popular, no matter where I go."

"Would you go there again?" he asked her.

Cordelia thought to herself, “She had already told him about her plans to return to the States in January. Why was he asking again?”

"It depends," Cordelia answered vaguely.

"Even after you have kids?"

"There's plenty of time to spend with kids, but only a few years to take advantage of educational opportunities." Cordelia didn't have any kids yet and felt her career was most important. She was concerned about her qualifications. To make a place for herself in Millstone, she had to have real skills.

She hadn't yet experienced the deep maternal bond with a child.

"Can't I make you stay here?" Ronan asked her.

"No, some dreams can't be contained," Cordelia said with a meaningful look.

"You'd be set if you just took care of me, right?" Ronan said in a noncommittal tone.

Cordelia scoffed. "Being an auditor has been my dream since I was a kid. I don't want to be looked down on for relying on connections. I want to be a specialist in my field."

Cordelia's words expressed her admiration for professional auditors.

"So, you're still planning to go to the States even after having a kid?" He asked her again.

"Yes."

They left the zoo. Cordelia was a bit tired. It was spring, and the weather was warm. Sweat dotted Cordelia's forehead.