The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 60

Cordelia had been staying in the Evans' house for quite a few days. Until one day, Ronan dropped the

news that his grandpa's birthday was a few days to come.

"Does your grandpa's birthday call for a big bash? What do I need to do?" Cordelia asked, all serious-

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"Grandpa isn't one for showy stuff so it'll just be us three celebrating."

Cordelia checked the calendar and saw that the day fell on a Sunday.

On Friday night, she hit the mall and ordered a massage bed for Barney, planning to give him a

surprise on Sunday.

She also planned to cook up a feast on Barney's birthday.

However, Ronan kept her up late on Saturday night, and being young and fond of sleeping in, she

didn't roll out of bed until 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Still half-asleep, she stood at the top of the stairs and saw Barney sitting in the living room with some

leftover pizza on the table.

Cordelia figured it was the work of the house help.

When she descended the stairs, she saw Deanna, apron-clad and in slippers, bringing out a dish of fish

from the kitchen.

"Woke up this late?Did you forget Barney's birthday?" Deanna teased Cordelia.

Cordelia wanted to explain that she hadn't forgotten, but she just woke up and hadn't done anything

yet.

"Grandpa," Cordelia started, feeling guilty for sleeping in, apologizing to Barney.

Barney chuckled gently, "It's okay if Della forgot my birthday, it's only the first year."

Cordelia thought about how Barney was getting up there in years, there might not be a second year, let

alone a third.

But she had missed most of this all-important birthday this year.

Thinking about this, Cordelia felt her heart sink.

"It's okay, I know you meant well. Don't beat yourself up about it. Finish up the pizza, you haven't had

breakfast, you must be starving. I understand," Barney said kindly.

Cordelia knew what Barney meant. The tears welling up in her eyes didn't fall, she just said shyly,

"Grandpa, thank you."

Just then, Deanna came out of the kitchen with another dish, seeing the closeness between Cordelia

and Barney, and hearing their conversation, a hint of displeasure crossed her face.

But being an actress, she quickly put on a smile.

"Where's my husband?" Cordelia looked around, not seeing Ronan.

She deliberately said "my husband" loud enough for Deanna to hear.

Cordelia knew Deanna was always stirring the pot, not only had she spread rumors that Cordelia's

umbrella was a fake, she spilled the beans to Ronan about Cordelia and Jamie, and the last time she

said "she would give Ronan to her".

"Your husband? He went out to get me some cooking ingredients. We ran out at home," when Deanna

mentioned Ronan, it sounded like she was saying "my husband".

"Oh," sensing something off in Deanna's tone, Cordelia responded coolly.

"I made tasty food for Barney this morning. I'm preparing your dishes now, it'll be ready soon," Deanna

returned to the kitchen with a look like she owned the place.

Cordelia looked at the feast on the table: tomato beef brisket, pumpkin soup, pasta, approximately

twenty dishes in total.

All of these should have been prepared by Cordelia.

Deanna was probably trying to belittle Cordelia by doing all these.

The massage bed Cordelia ordered had arrived and the delivery guys were moving it into Barney's

room.

Barney was thrilled, "Whatever Della buys, I like. I like anything Della buys."

Cordelia smiled too.

"Did you just order this for Barney? You woke up late, but you managed to make amends just in time,"

Deanna joked.

She meant that Cordelia actually forgot Barney's birthday and just hastily ordered a birthday gift for

him.

Cordelia knew Deanna was up to something, but she didn't want to argue with her, especially since

Barney wasn't fond of Deanna anyway.

When Ronan came back, he went into the kitchen and put down the ingredients.

Seeing Ronan dust-covered, Deanna said, "Look at you, you're all dusty, let me dust you off."

Then, Deanna picked up her apron, one hand on Ronan's shoulder, and started dusting him off.

Cordelia saw this but pretended not to. Inside, though, she felt a pang of jealousy.

But she knew it wasn't her place to say anything.