The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 528

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on Cordelia as she stirred awake.

The first thing she noticed was the heat emanating from the chest beneath her head. He was usually

an early riser; she wondered why he was still in bed.

"Why aren't you up yet?" Cordelia asked, rolling over to face him. She glanced at her phone on the

nightstand. It was past ten.

"There's no rush to get up when you're not clocking in at Birchwood," he replied after a moment, then

added softly, "Cordelia."

"Mm?"

"Be with me, for real?"

His last words made Cordelia's eyes snap open. "Aren't I already with you?"

By now, Cordelia had come to terms with her place in the world. She had realized that, no matter how

much she learned, she could never outshine Ronan. It seemed best to stay by his side contentedly.

The incident with Jordan, along with Ronan's sharp insights and strategic thinking, had solidified this

belief in her.

"I mean beyond a marriage of convenience. Really be together. Talk to me, consult with me about

things."

Cordelia's thoughts drifted to the past, to her shortcomings, and to Alana, which inevitably stirred up

some internal conflict. But having come this far, she decided to throw caution to the wind. She nodded

solemnly and affirmed, "Yeah."

Ronan seemed skeptical. "Really?" he asked.

"Of course, it's real," Cordelia assured him. "I've thought it over. With your smarts, I have no safer place

than by your side. You have a keen eye, and always find the best solutions."

Ronan chuckled. "Not always. I've been mistaken before."

"When have you ever been mistaken?" Cordelia inquired with genuine naivety, the covers slipping and

revealing her fair shoulder.

"You!" Ronan declared.

A shadow of disappointment crossed Cordelia's face as her tone lost its enthusiasm. "If you were

mistaken, why ask me to stick around? Isn't that contradictory?" she challenged.

"Let's call it a calculated risk," Ronan said with a hint of resignation.

Cordelia closed her eyes, no longer wishing to engage in conversation. "Janice has some gripes with

me. Could you talk to her?"

"It's nothing serious."

With that, Ronan rolled on top of Cordelia, planting a heavy kiss that was paradoxically tender.

Cordelia slowly closed her eyes. Over the years, no man had reached her heart or touched her body

the way Ronan had. Their union may not have started honorably, but it didn't mean there was no love in

their marriage.

"So why won't you lend me the money?" Cordelia asked, her dissatisfaction returning.

"I already have four or five properties in Birchwood. Why do you need another house?"

Cordelia was speechless. She then recounted to Ronan the whole ordeal with Alana's threats.

To her surprise, Ronan didn't seem concerned. "All this fuss over that?" Ronan asked.

"Of course not. I also resent what you did to my mother, but my resentment isn't enough to cut you off."

Ronan's face darkened briefly. "Let's have breakfast."

When they reached the dining room, only Callum was there, engrossed in his play.

"Where's Janice?" Ronan asked Callum.

"Janice said she went back to Millstone," Callum replied, eyeing both his parents with curiosity.

Cordelia's expression turned awkward. "She still blames me, after all."

"Time will heal," Ronan dismissed with nonchalance, and the family of three began their meal.

"Mom, what are you gonna do after breakfast?" Callum inquired. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"Well, there's a lady at my school who needs my company. We’ll have plenty of time together later,

okay, Callum?” Cordelia pinched Callum’s nose as she spoke.

“Don’t pinch me; it'll make my nose grow," Callum protested.

"Ha! You're just like your dad," Cordelia teased.

"You remember that?" Ronan asked.

Cordelia lowered her head to her plate. "I remember. I remember it all."

Ronan seemed touched by her words but said nothing more.