The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 361

"Today?" Amanda questioned with a hint of surprise in her voice. "Does Ronan know about this?"

"He does, Mom. I told him last night," Cordelia confirmed.

"He agreed?" Amanda couldn't imagine that Ronan would allow Cordelia to leave the country, especially with their child still being so young.

"He's always known about my plans to pursue a master's degree," Cordelia explained.

"Cordelia, if you're unhappy with your father and me living here, then we can leave. You don't need to fight with Ronan over this. Your father feels regret over what happened to him due to the Colby family's torment. But he wasn't in his right mind back then," Amanda said tearfully.

Deep down, Cordelia had always believed that Olen was responsible for her mother's death. Amanda's words only confirmed her suspicions. Amanda's genuine display of remorse made it impossible for Cordelia to stay angry with her. "Mom, it's not like that. Don't worry," Cordelia reassured her.

Amanda was hesitant, but she had noticed that Cordelia and Ronan seemed to be getting along fine recently.

"Let's go check on the baby," Cordelia suggested, hoping to distract her mother from calling Ronan.

"Sure."

They went to Paloma's room together. Cordelia held Callum, who was growing more adorable by the day. She felt a pang of regret for her initial feelings of resentment towards him.

"Callum, Mommy's going to study abroad. But I'll come back to see you every month, okay?" Cordelia said, more for Amanda's sake than for Callum's.

Olen had been avoiding Cordelia ever since he returned and was currently holed up in his room.

“I know.” Amanda still felt a bit guilty. She thought the reason that Cordelia left so suddenly was because of her and Olen.

"Thank you. I have to go now," Cordelia said, turning away. As she walked away, she couldn't help but shed tears. Her original plan was to take the trouble away with her, identify who her enemy was, and then decide her next steps.

She knew in her heart that Ronan would always allow her to come home. His words from last night were just empty threats. As she settled into her seat on the plane, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Samantha. [Cordelia, don't get too comfortable. Now that the ring is yours, your enemies will be after you. They've targeted the wrong person before, and they'll be even more relentless with you. Be careful.]

Samantha's words were a warning, but they seemed more like an act of kicking someone when they were down.

With the plane's announcement ringing in her ears, Cordelia's feelings of guilt for leaving so abruptly shifted to a sense of righteous determination to keep her family safe. With that thought, she felt somewhat comforted.

She closed her eyes.