The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 516

"Hey, I'll take you to Birchwood College tomorrow," Ronan said to Janice with a casual shrug. "I’ve got

a meeting there myself, so it works out." Lately, Ronan found any excuse to head over to Birchwood

not just tolerable but downright welcome.

Janice frowned, and the lines of worry were etched into her face. "I'm just afraid he won't talk to me

even if I go."

"Don't sweat it. I've got your back," Ronan reassured her.

If Harold clammed up, there was always Cordelia. Ronan had a hunch she was mixed up in this

somehow.

"Dad, are we going to Birchwood College again? Does that mean we'll see Mom?" Callum asked,

barely able to contain his excitement.

"Looks like it, sport."

Callum clapped his hands in glee. "We have to see her. We just have to!"

The next day, around noon, Ronan, Janice, and Callum arrived at the college. Harold had mentioned

grabbing lunch, but Ronan wouldn't hear of Harold footing the bill. Instead, Ronan treated them to a

spread at the Grand Hotel.

"What's the deal?" Ronan was puzzled. Harold was a level-headed kid who always had his act

together. Sure, he had a thing for Cordelia, but once he caught wind of her history with Ronan, he

backed off like a gentleman. Ronan couldn't hold a grudge against the boy, not when he showed such

integrity. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

"It's nothing. Drop it!" Harold snapped, his eyes glued to his plate, pushing food around with his fork.

Ronan had a feeling that even if he grilled Cordelia, she wouldn't spill the beans, but it had to involve

her, somehow.

Stepping out into the corridor, he dialed Petra's number, seeking insight.

The moment Petra's phone rang, and she saw it was Ronan, her world seemed to brighten. Her voice

trembled with excitement as she answered.

"You're in Birchwood?" she inquired first.

"Just got here."

Petra laid out the whole story. Harold had allegedly swiped Cordelia's research and handed it over to

his mentor, Dustin, who blew the whistle. Now Harold felt he couldn't face his mentor or Cordelia and

was considering joining the army. Petra omitted the fact that she'd visited Cordelia's place herself,

presenting the tale as if she were a mere bystander.

Ronan ended the call with his suspicions confirmed. It was about Cordelia, alright. But the whole thing

just didn't square with Harold's character.

After lunch, Ronan sent Janice and Callum off to his granddad’s home and made his way to Cordelia's

place.

Cordelia was at home, tirelessly revising her project, double-checking every line, even though Dustin

claimed he hadn't peeked at the contents. When the knock came, she opened the door, eyeglasses

sliding down her nose, and her face showing signs of fatigue.

"Why are you here?" she asked, genuinely surprised to see Ronan.

"You're starting to look like a real ascetic scholar," Ronan quipped as he stepped inside.

She poured him a glass of water, pondering his unexpected visit. Surely, he was here because of

Harold. With Harold set on enlisting, and Janice probably in tears, Cordelia didn't approve either. But

Harold was as stubborn as they come.

"Harold's enlisting. Did you know?" Ronan asked, taking a seat.

Cordelia set the glass before him. "I heard."

"And you're okay with this?"

She frowned slightly, a sudden irritation flaring within her. "It's his decision to make. I can't control him.

He's not a kid anymore. Why come to me? Shouldn't you be talking him out of it?"

"Janice is at home crying."

"What's that got to do with me?" Cordelia's temper flared. It was an inexplicable, sudden burst of anger

that took even her by surprise.