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

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

began to ramble, “Lia, I’m sorry. I

born, and

for so many years. Now we’ve finally brought your home, but you’re still suffering due

IZ O W

tissues, uncertain how to comfort a crying adult.. Eventually, Lorna’s tears subsided, and she looked up with

of the evening’s events and concern for Cordelia’s stress made her comfort her daughter in return. “Lia, don’t feel pressured and don’t listen to what

13.00

Chapter &

Cordelia nodded blankly

my eyes I want you to be safe and happy. For

Cordelia murmured, “Okay

mured, “Okay”

Sanderson came home.

in bed. “Im not as good as Kermit at making Mom

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

been 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 her parents were just professors, and she had no income of

Dawn broke

for breakfast On the way to school,

“Midnight Scent,” the pain

she called out, “Larry, stop

balance. “Cordelia, the grades come out today. You’re not trying

out of the car and toward “Midnight

thought struck her. Did she have to

as she grabbed the arm of a passing red–haired boy in a school uniform, not even taking in his features. “Hey, wanna

the

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

to be with