Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 6

Lorna’s heart ached so fiercely that she nearly burst into tears, but she quickly bowed her head, covering her swollen cheek, fighting to keep her voice steady. “It’s nothing. Lia. I just went overboard with the blush. You, um, you should return to your room.”

Cordelia watched her silently before responding with a flat “Oh.”

When Lorna thought she could finally sigh in relief, Cordelia skirted past her and headed downstairs.

Lorna’s eyes widened in alarm, and she–hurried after her. “Lia, Lia…”

The few people in the living room heard the commotion and turned their heads in unison.

Cordelia walked straight up to Laurinda, her expression blank, her beautiful eyes slightly vacant. But when she spoke, her voice was icy. “Why did you hit her?”

Laurinda was stunned. For the second, she felt Cordella’s presence was formidable, but she quickly shook off the feeling.

It was just a delusion, after all. Cordelia was just a girl, no older than Juliana.

She sat on the couch, slightly tilting her head up, and scoffed, “She gave birth to a fool, tarnishing the Delaney family name. Slapping her was letting her off easy!”

Lorna had caught up and stood protectively in front of Cordelia. “Laurinda, Lia is not a fool!”

“Not a fool?” Laurinda snorted, “Then, how would she look like this? Lorna, don’t you feel sorry for yourself? I’m not asking for Cordelia to be as brilliant as Juliana. Just close enough in grades, I’d treat you with the utmost respect!”

Lorna’s lips trembled, unable to speak.

“No need.” Cordelia suddenly spoke up, her gaze steady on Laurinda, sweeping past Edwin and Belinda with a chilly tone. “If my grades are better than Juliana’s, an apology to my mom will suffice.”

With that, she took Lorna upstairs.

It wasn’t until the pair disappeared up the stairs that Laurinda snapped back to reality, scoffing at Belinda’s scrutinizing gaze, “She talked as if she could outdo Juliana in grades. Huh, in her dreams!”

Cordelia led Lorna back to her room.

Once the door was closed, Lorna’s eyes brimmed with tears as she grasped Cordelia’s hand, “Lia, did you just call me Mom?”

hal

was noncommittal, with a hint of distance and awkwardness.

grudges against Lorna, the sudden introduction to a

lowered her head and began to ramble, “Lia, I’m sorry. I failed to keep you safe

and you went missing.”

sobs. “Your father and I have searched for so many years. Now we’ve finally brought your home,

IZ O W

Lorna’s tears subsided, and she looked up with

made her comfort her daughter in return. “Lia,

13.00

Chapter &

Cordelia nodded blankly

what, you’re the best in my eyes I want you to be safe and happy. For you, I’ll grow stranger Don’t worry!

Cordelia murmured, “Okay

mured, “Okay”

Sanderson came home. He hadn’t noticed, and Loma didn’t meation

as they lay in bed. “Im not as good as Kermit at

this Just wait a little longer, and I’ll take you and Lia to live somewhere else.” a suddenly spoke up. “I want to

Lia was back, she felt a renewed strength Laurinda was bullying them because her parents were just professors, and she had no income of her own. It was time to change

Dawn broke

chest but dismissed it as she got ready and headed downstairs for breakfast On the way to school, the discomfort

the car slowly passed by “Midnight Scent,” the pain in her

out, “Larry,

vehicle abruptly halted. Caught off guard, Juliana scoffed after regaining her balance. “Cordelia, the grades come out today. You’re not trying to skip school to avoid them, right?”

rushing out of the car and toward “Midnight Scent.”

Did she have to be with that man to feel

tracks as she grabbed the arm of a passing red–haired boy in a school uniform, not

the

the door to Midnight

meant she had to be