The Contracted Ever After novel Chapter 538

At noon, Jayson wasn't in the mood for lunch, so she took him out for some fastfood. They settled into a quiet corner of the diner, but Petra's attention wandered when she saw Cordelia and an unfamiliar elderly man walk in. Petra was curious, so she let the kid play outside by himself while she sidled closer to eavesdrop.

Cordelia had chosen a private booth in the back, where the entrance faced the rear window, making it a secluded spot. After the server brought their food, they were left undisturbed.

Petra overheard a convoluted tale that unfolded before her, revealing Cordelia's birth mother and even a mention of someone named Thomas. Petra wasn't sure who Thomas was, but she guessed he must’ve been an acquaintance of Cordelia's from Millstone. She made a mental note of the name.

After the old man left, Cordelia clutched a vinyl record with Scarf's latest album. Clearly, Eason was using it to convey his and Tony's relationship and to let Tony know his affections were for Cordelia. This meeting wasn't just about Tony sharing Cordelia's origins but also a chance for a would-be father-in-law to meet his son's beloved.

Eason's thoughts were always meticulous. This time, he was serious, seeking an answer from Cordelia, but Cordelia's mind was far from Eason’s. She held the record, lost in thoughts about her own past.

Alana was her biological mother, but her mother had lost her sanity. The revelation hit Cordelia hard. She sat there, head in her hands, when her phone rang. It was Ronan.

"Where are you?" he asked.

Cordelia was jolted back to reality. Glancing out the window, she noticed the evening had crept up on her, and she suddenly remembered her child had planned to join her for dinner.

"I'm at the diner."

"Have you eaten?" Ronan inquired.

"No, I... I met someone here. They told me something that's been troubling me for ages. I need to talk to you about it," Cordelia said, her fingers threading through her hair in agitation.

"Tonight?"

"Yeah," Cordelia replied.