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

her “Hmm” was noncommittal, with a hint of distance and awkwardness.

parents hadn’t abandoned her on purpose and holding no grudges against Lorna, the sudden introduction to a mother after

her head and began to ramble, “Lia,

born, and you went missing.”

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 reddened eyes, managing a small smile.

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

13.00

Chapter &

Cordelia nodded blankly

want you to

Cordelia murmured, “Okay

mured, “Okay”

when Sanderson

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

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

an artist, but after 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

Dawn broke

it as she got ready and headed downstairs for breakfast On the way to school, the discomfort intensified. Her heart, as if gripped by an invisible hand, tightened

by “Midnight Scent,” the

“Larry, stop the

scoffed after regaining her balance. “Cordelia, the grades come out today. You’re

her, rushing out of the car

struggled to think, a thought struck her. Did she have to be

grabbed the arm of a passing red–haired boy in a

her words, the boy

didn’t let up; instead, it got worse. She hastened her steps, pushed open the door to Midnight Scent, and upon seeing the tall figure behind the

she had to be with