The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 546

“Enough already, you’re practically thirty. Stop being such a child,” Cordelia chided as she tidied up the

room.

Victoria tossed a napkin onto the floor in a huff. “What are you talking about? There’s a world of

difference between twenty-eight and thirty, okay? One’s the prime of youth, and the other's knocking on

the door of the big three-oh. And for the record, that soap opera was surprisingly gripping. I never used

to be into these melodramatic romances, but I guess I saw myself and Harold in it and got hooked.

Watched it all night."

Cordelia paused her cleaning. "Are you sure you're not delusional?"

"Can't be bothered with you."

"So, what's it gonna be? More sleep or some grub? My house, my rules – total freedom," Cordelia

offered.

"Did you have an early morning session with Mr. Evans? You two sure did your 'homework' bright and

early. Seems like last night wasn't enough," Victoria teased.

Cordelia froze momentarily, then retorted a beat too late, "Nonsense."

"I'm an OB-GYN, for heaven's sake. You think I can't tell when you've been up to something by the

scent you're wearing?" Victoria's attention finally shifted fully from the TV to Cordelia.

Cordelia sniffed herself but could only detect a faint, fresh fragrance.

"Stop sniffing! You won't pick up on it. That’s a doctor’s superpower!” Victoria gloated.

“Stop talking rubbish,” Cordelia said, slightly embarrassed.

“Let’s talk seriously for a sec. Are you planning on heading back to Millstone this weekend?” Victoria

asked.

“Millstone? Why?” Cordelia didn’t seem opposed to the idea.

“Why do you think? I have to go butter up, Janice. If I’d known she had such a handsome and

responsible son, I would’ve been on her good side ages ago,” Victoria confessed. It wasn’t just Harold’s

looks that had caught her eye; his commitment and sense of responsibility, evident from how he had

handled certain situations, had really impressed her. She had made up her mind to pursue him.

“Got your priorities mixed up, don’t you think?” Cordelia teased.

“You’re the one with mixed priorities. I’m five years older than Harold. Plus, he’s in the military right

now. It’s the perfect time to win over his folks. Didn’t you ever wonder why he was so reluctant to

introduce you to them? Age issues, maybe? Once I’ve got his parents on my side, he’ll have no

excuses when he gets back. We’ll tie the knot straight away,” Victoria explained as she folded the

blankets.

“Are you serious?” Cordelia suddenly found Victoria’s plan quite logical. “But what good will my going

back do?”

Victoria looked at her as if questioning her intelligence, “How else am I supposed to visit your place

without an excuse? Should I say I’m going to see Mr. Evans? They’d be on high alert for a home

wrecker! Besides, isn’t your relationship with Janice a bit strained? It’s a perfect chance to mend

bridges for both of us.”

Cordelia still didn’t quite grasp how sweet-talking Janice related to her, but Victoria had that enigmatic

look that said, “You’ll get it in time.” Nevertheless, it seemed like a visit back to Millstone was definitely

on the cards for Saturday.

“I’m off this afternoon. Back to delivering babies,” Victoria said with the enthusiasm of someone headed

to a funeral.

“Sure. Let’s grab some lunch first. My treat.”

At noon, the two hailed a cab and headed out to a nearby diner.

The more time Cordelia spent with Victoria, the more she realized how insightful and clever she was.

Cordelia used to work at the same place as Brooklyn, and she had been closer to Brooklyn back then.

But now, she was discovering that Victoria was the real gem.