The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 540

Samantha's words, though stinging, served as a wake-up call for Cordelia. Birchwood was vast, so why on earth would Petra choose to throw herself off the rooftop of Empower Operations, of all places? It was clear she didn't want Cordelia to have a moment's peace.

But those thoughts were for another time...

Cordelia tried calling Petra to no avail, and just then, Ronan showed up, sans child. "Where's Callum?" asked Cordelia, panic edging her voice.

But looking at Ronan's face, not a trace of worry furrowed his brow; he seemed utterly nonchalant. Cordelia couldn't help but wonder, “Are all these business types so heartless? Peter was one thing, but Ronan, too?”

"He's with Victoria now. She's watching him. I'll head up," Ronan said, his gaze piercing Petra with a thinly veiled disdain.

Yet Cordelia's mind raced with other concerns. They were on the brink of a life-or-death situation, and if Petra did jump, what would become of Cordelia's own standing?

Upon reaching the rooftop, Ronan found Petra in tears, a child in tow. "I can't bear to live with this shame!" Petra exclaimed at the sight of Ronan. She longed to throw herself into his arms – a rare opportunity in her most vulnerable moment, yearning for comfort. But noticing Ronan's hands firmly pocketed, Petra recoiled.

"What are those letters doing on the bulletin board?" Ronan inquired. Victoria had filled him in when he passed Callum to her; he knew the whole story.

"I returned those love letters to you years ago, and I kept them boxed up and forgot all about them. The kid must've found them the other day. I meant to trash them - they're history, after all. I thought I dumped them, but somehow, they ended up on the school's bulletin board. Someone must have found them." Petra, face in her hands, started crying again.

"Mom, stop crying. What will I do if you jump?" Jayson tugged at Petra's sleeve, his voice trembling.