The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 676

"What's up?" Cordelia, already halfway to dreamland, stirred slightly as Ronan’s Messenger chimed in the quiet of the night. She mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper, "What is it?"

"It's about the Emerson bid."

"Mhm," Cordelia muttered before slipping back into her slumber.

The next morning was Saturday, and Cordelia slept in until noon. Ronan mentioned he was planning to take the kids to the ice rink.

After lunch, Cordelia and her friend Janice drove to the rink.

The ice rink was a new addition to the local mall, and with its steep prices, the crowd was sparse. Ronan had arranged for a coach to give the kids a one-hour lesson.

Cordelia and Janice waited outside the rink.

To kill time, Cordelia wandered down to the clothing stores below until her phone rang.

Glancing at her watch, she wondered why Janice was calling just half an hour into the session.

"Cordelia, you need to come quick! There's been an accident. A chandelier fell from the ceiling and hit someone," Janice said urgently.

Cordelia's heart leaped into her throat, her legs turned to jelly, and she nearly collapsed onto a nearby bench. "I'm on my way."

Struggling to stand, a concerned shop assistant helped her up. "Miss, are you alright?"

Cordelia, pale and dizzy, managed to say, "I'm fine."

She hurried back to the rink, where a crowd had gathered. Cordelia squeezed through to find the rink manager apologizing profusely, saying that emergency services had been called. Jayson was in Janice's arms, and relief washed over Cordelia when she saw Callum standing unharmed, albeit visibly shaken, repeatedly nudging his brother. "Jay, Jay, you okay?"