The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 682

Jamie and Marian, a couple tied by vows but still without the sound of children's laughter in their home, walked down the lane. Despite the love between them, they hadn't been blessed with kids. A doctor's visit confirmed the issue lay with Marian, and she took it hard.

Ava, Jamie's mom, was the epitome of old-fashioned thinking. To her, a woman's worth was in her ability to have kids. She thought Marian's career success meant nothing without children. Marian's ambition only made her more of a target for Ava's sharp tongue. Knowing it wasn't her son's fault but Marian's made Ava even more bitter. In her eyes, Jamie was a prize stallion, while Marian was just a barren hen, unfit to carry on the Colby family name.

In this ongoing battle between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Jamie was no help to Marian. She felt alone, but she knew Jamie was as good as it got in Millstone. Divorce wasn't an option. Without Jamie, she'd still be childless, and society would shun her for it.

As a result, the tension between Ava and Marian only grew.

Marian felt the weight of their childlessness heavily on her shoulders.

They lived in Sunnybrook Hollow, a secluded and poor little town. Marian had an idea—to adopt a child from here, and Jamie didn't mind. He had already given up on matters of the heart; the origin of the child didn't matter to him.

They didn't want a baby; Marian couldn't stand the crying and fuss. She also didn't like older kids who could remember and hold grudges. She wanted a toddler, around two or three years old.

Ava had once asked Jamie what he wanted. His answer was simple: as long as Marian stayed, he was fine. His life goals were modest. Besides, except for Cordelia, it didn't matter to him who he married.

Ava was restless, even thinking about suggesting Jamie have a child with another woman and then pay her off. But Jamie refused; he wouldn't go that far for an heir. Ava was left fuming.

Marian, however, was touched by Jamie's loyalty. She didn't want him to have a child with another woman either. Any child not born from her would be raised by Ava and have no connection to her. Plus, a child naturally bonds with their birth mother and might one day claim part of the inheritance, protected by Jamie. Marian preferred to raise a child with no background, one who wouldn't grow close to Ava.