The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 384

Cordelia's phone was home to two precious pictures of their child. She resisted the urge to ask Janice for more, wary of the additional torment Ronan might devise. Perhaps this time, it would be something even more humiliating than posing for explicit photos.

Instead, Cordelia focused on her studies. Soon, it was Christmas, and school was out for the holidays. But even with the break, Cordelia was home every day, and her nose was buried in books. She seldom went out, and she never returned home.

Ronan began to ponder if she was unwilling to return, or simply unable.

Could it be that she stayed away just because he had told her, "Once you leave, don't come back?" But Callum was here. Did she just abandon her maternal instincts?

Besides, when had she ever listened to him?

He mulled it over. In the past, if Ronan didn't reply to her Facebook messages, she would have definitely asked Janice what was going on. But this time, she hadn't asked even once. Cold-blooded, indeed.

Ronan summoned Brooklyn.

"Tell me, Brooklyn, what exactly happened the night before Cordelia left for abroad?" Ronan sat in his office chair, flicking his cigarette lighter onto his desk with a smirk.

Brooklyn was taken aback. Why was Ronan asking about this now, after Cordelia had been abroad for so long?

"Nothing really happened," Brooklyn replied nervously. "Marian just belittled Cordelia, saying we were undereducated."

"What else?" Ronan pressed, his gaze fixed on Brooklyn. "Speak up, and I'll raise your salary to the same level as the deputy director. Plus, I'll promote you to project team leader."

Sure enough, Brooklyn's eyes lit up. "Really?" Brooklyn asked incredulously.

"You should know, it's not only about education but also connections. Not everyone is as stubborn as Cordelia."

Brooklyn had also noticed that Cordelia had been abroad for so long without returning. And Mr. Evans had been seen with that woman, Tabitha, and then there was what Ronan had said at Callum's christening banquet. Brooklyn had felt a pang of worry for Cordelia.