The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 38

Pissing off her boss was inevitable. To avoid giving Jordan any ammunition, Cordelia had to work even

harder to ensure he couldn't pick on her work. But there was one thing she made time for every night,

no matter how busy she was – to message Barney on WhatsApp.

It was a habit she'd kept up since she moved out of the Evans family's house. She'd send Barney loads

of pictures of Southern Ridge, where she was supposedly currently on a business trip.

When Barney would ask her when she was coming home, she'd reply, “Barney, work's really hectic

here. I might need to stick around a bit longer.”

“Della, I really miss you. When are you going to come back and visit this old man?” Barney asked.

Reading this, Cordelia felt a lump in her throat. It was something her parents used to say to her. Now,

there was nobody left to tell her that. Sure, she had friends and colleagues, but they couldn't replace

the power of family.

Cordelia replied, “Grandpa, I miss you too. I'll visit you when I get a chance.”

Barney removed his reading glasses and held his phone. He walked into the living room, and asked

Ronan, “When are you going to let Della come back? She's been gone for ages.”

“What did she tell you?” Ronan flicked through a finance magazine distractedly.

“She sent me pictures of Southern Ridge, said work was crazy there, and she'd need more time.

Ronan, can't you talk to her boss? Get her to come back sooner? I know I shouldn't interfere with her

work, but my old body ain't getting any younger.” Barney had started to plead with Ronan.

Cordelia hadn't messaged Ronan at all in the past two weeks. Their last chat was a fortnight ago. But

she was constantly chatting with Barney. The contrast made Ronan feel ignored.

Messaging Barney wasn't something they had discussed beforehand. Maybe it was because Cordelia

was kind, or maybe Barney was her last chance to get back to the house.

She must know that once she won Barney over, Ronan would give in. Cordelia might be getting

desperate because her current situation was tough.

Despite this, Ronan had no plans to let her come back. Even though their marriage was just a formality,

he couldn't stand the thought of her pining for another man. It was agonizing. But thinking about the

umbrella Cordelia gave him, his heart softened. She seemed sincere, and she even bought the

umbrella from abroad.

It would be easy for him to change her circumstances.

Ronan opened Cordelia's Facebook page. She didn't post much, mostly pictures from the internet and

notes about her accounting exams.

But yesterday morning, she added a new post: New day, gotta keep going! Attached was a picture of

her breakfast: a fried egg, a piece of toast, and a glass of milk.

Ronan gave her a like. Soon, many others started to like Cordelia's post, including Jordan and many

colleagues. Before long, Cordelia's Facebook post had received 108 likes.

Cordelia thought, surprised, “The Ronan effect is really something. But why would he like my post?”

Everyone was confused by Ronan's actions. It seemed like they hadn't broken up, but just had a fight.

Now they were back on good terms. Everyone was sweating bullets, fearing they had somehow

messed up.

The next day, something even stranger happened.

When Cordelia walked into the office, Jordan greeted her specially, saying, “Cordelia, you're here?

There's a shortlist for the company's Lumos Star award every year, to replace those who don't do well ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

in training. I've recommended you this time.”

“Emm.” Cordelia seemed a bit nervous.

Soon, Brooklyn messaged Cordelia: [Cordelia, my article that was pulled has been reinstated, and

they've also reinstated my Lumos Star status. Can you believe it?]

Cordelia quickly realized this was all thanks to Ronan. His casual 'like' on her post yesterday had

changed the company's opinion of her. A small action from him, and the company had to make big

moves.

Cordelia felt a chill down her spine, wondering if Ronan thought of these butterfly effects when he liked

her post.

So what did Ronan's action mean? Was he trying to help her? Or did he just accidentally like her post?