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

“Hmm” was noncommittal, with

and holding no grudges against

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

were born, and you went missing.”

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

IZ O W

uncertain how to comfort a crying adult.. Eventually, Lorna’s tears subsided, and

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

13.00

Chapter &

Cordelia nodded blankly

I want you to

Cordelia murmured, “Okay

mured, “Okay”

Sanderson came home. He hadn’t noticed, and

in bed. “Im not as good as Kermit

through this Just wait a little longer, and I’ll take you and Lia

losing her child, she had been broken, not touching a paintbrush for years. As 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

Dawn broke

but dismissed it as she got ready and headed downstairs for breakfast On the way to school, the discomfort intensified. Her heart, as if gripped

“Midnight Scent,” the pain in

“Larry, stop the

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

the car and toward “Midnight Scent.”

have to be with that man to

she grabbed the arm of a passing red–haired boy

words, the

open the door to Midnight Scent, and upon seeing the tall figure behind

meant she had to be