The Contracted Ever After novel Chapter 45

In the bedroom, only Cordelia Haselwood and Barney Evans remained.

"Barney, you want something to eat? I can whip up some porridge for you." Cordelia hadn't seen Barney in a while, her eyes misty with unshed tears.

"Nah, I'm good. Actually..." Barney sat up on the bed, edging closer to Cordelia, "I faked that fainting earlier."

Cordelia looked taken aback, "Why would you do that?"

"To get you to come see me. I know I don't have much time left, and not much time left with you."

Hearing this, Cordelia's tears started to flow, choking out, "Barney."

"I heard what Deanna Stains said earlier. Six years ago, I already didn't like her. I always felt like she had a lot of ulterior motives. I've got your back, but you gotta toughen up too. Stop letting Ronan kick you out and giving Deanna the upper hand." Barney said gently.

"Barney, how did you know?" Cordelia asked, her face damp with tears. She felt embarrassed, not expecting Barney to have figured it out.

"I'm not getting any younger, what can't I see?"

Cordelia's heart skipped a beat. Did Barney know about her agreement to marry Ronan?

What should she do if Barney found out?

"Listen to me and stay strong. Ronan's a stubborn kid, be gentle with him."

Cordelia nodded, "Got it."

"He's older than you and should take care of you, but sometimes, you gotta give in too." Barney advised gently.

"Alright. Barney, have an orange." Cordelia peeled an orange for Barney.

……

When Deanna got in the car, she noticed an umbrella on the passenger seat.

It was a designer umbrella from Europe, with an eagle on the handle.

Deanna remembered, Ronan Evans never used umbrellas.

He liked to walk in the rain alone, and there had never been an umbrella in his car.

There was no way he would suddenly change his habits after all these years.

So this umbrella definitely wasn't his.

It was clear who bought it.