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

with

on purpose and holding no grudges against Lorna, the sudden introduction to a mother after eighteen

and began to ramble, “Lia, I’m sorry. I failed to keep you

born, and you

many years. Now we’ve finally brought your home, but

IZ O W

Eventually, Lorna’s tears subsided, and

concern for Cordelia’s stress made her comfort her daughter in return. “Lia, don’t

13.00

Chapter &

Cordelia nodded blankly

eyes I want you to be safe and happy. For you, I’ll grow stranger Don’t

Cordelia murmured, “Okay

mured, “Okay”

swelling had gone down when Sanderson came home. He hadn’t noticed, and Loma didn’t meation it

as they lay in bed. “Im not as good as Kermit at making Mom happy I’m

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

had been broken, not touching a paintbrush for years. As Lia was back, she felt a renewed strength Laurinda was bullying

Dawn broke

breakfast On the way to school,

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

“Larry, stop the car!”

scoffed after regaining her balance. “Cordelia, the grades come out today. You’re not trying to

out of the car and toward “Midnight

to think, a thought struck her. Did she have to be with that man to feel

passing red–haired boy in a school

the boy

door to Midnight Scent,

she had to be