The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 530

The storm outside seemed to be brewing, with the snow falling more heavily by the minute, but inside the room was a haven of warmth and tranquility. The old man cast a few glances at Cordelia before he began his tale in earnest.

Back in the swinging sixties, there was a prominent family, the head of which was a financier, with vast estates to his name—a true pillar of the local community. But as times changed, he moved overseas, got married, and had children. Despite being well-educated, he held on to his old-fashioned beliefs. He married a lady who was his equal in social standing, a woman of grace and poise, the very picture of an affluent society wife, a role model for aspiring debutantes.

Their marriage was a loving one, but after a year, tragedy struck. When the lady of the house gave birth, she suffered a fatal complication and passed away, leaving behind her newborn.

The world knew that she had given birth to a daughter, but only the family knew the truth—they were twins. This secret was closely guarded by all.

"Twins?" Cordelia couldn't hide her surprise, perhaps because she herself had once carried twins. Her curiosity was piqued.

The old man seemed not to notice Cordelia's interjection as he continued.

The reason the public believed there was only one child was that the second-born twin, the younger daughter, had been stricken with polio at birth. After a series of treatments, her legs were left immobile, and she was confined to the attic. Her father, a man very much concerned with appearances, chose not to reveal the existence of the second twin. As time passed, the healthy daughter grew into a blossoming beauty, much sought after by the young men of the area. She caught the eye of a major film studio.