Chapter 277
"Cordelia." Ava said, leaning casually against the doorframe, "I''m here to bring you home. After all, the
bun in your oven is Jamie’s, and some folks can''t im the harvest when they didn''t sow the seed.
What''s the deal with keeping you cooped up here? That''s not right."
Ava''s message was loud and clear, and intended for Ronan. However, Ronan chose not to take the
bait. He simply ran a hand through his hair, showing no sign of being affected by Ava''s words.
"Ava." Cordelia began, her mind a whirl of confusion. Words failed her.
"Jamie told me everything, darling." Ava interrupted, patting Cordelia''s hand, "He said the baby was
conceived during his first visit to California. It''s definitely his. I may have had my reservations about you
before, but I hope you can forgive me. Come home with me, will you?"
"Did Jamie really tell you that?" Cordelia asked, a slight frown appearing on her forehead.
"Absolutely. He tried to proposest time but things didn''t work out. This time, I''m here on his behalf.
I''ve put my dignity aside for him, Cordelia. Please, say yes." Ava said.
The baby was a miracle—a pair of twins, a boy and a girl. It was a blessing usually reserved for the
most virtuous of couples. Ava might have had her misgivings about Cordelia in the past, thinking she
was a loose woman. But the babies were a gift to the family, and Jamie clearly adored Cordelia.
"I." Cordelia began, her eyes downcast as she fiddled with her fingers, "Can I take a few days to think it
over?"
She knew Ronan would never let her go, but it felt wrong to outright reject Ava in the moment. So, she
opted for a stalling tactic.
"A few days?" Ava inquired.
Cordelia held up three fingers, "Three days?"
"Alright, I''lle back in three days. Some people need to wake up to reality. Remember how her
mother died? Who would willingly stay with their enemy? This is confinement, don''t you understand?"
With a pointed nce at Ronan, Ava turned on her heel and left.
The mention of her mother pricked at Cordelia''s heart. After seeing Ava out, Cordelia returned to the
couch, her face devoid of emotion.
"When did Jamie firste to California?" Ronan asked, lounging in an armchair and flipping through a
book, his tone casual.
The two of them had been sitting in the living room all morning, reading in a peaceful silence. Earlier,
Janice had been bustling around the kitchen, the soft tter of pots and pans drifting into the living
room. The only sounds were the turning of pages and the asional sigh. Outside, it was a beautiful
sunny day. To Cordelia, this was a picture of tranquil contentment.
"I can''t remember. It wasn''t long after I moved to the U.S." Cordelia replied.
"Before your exams?" Ronan asked, not looking up from his book.
"Yes." Cordelia answered.
Now, every mention of her mother made her anxious. She was living with the man who had caused her
mother''s death and carrying his child.
Ronan was now 95% certain: the twins were his.
ording to Jamie, Cordelia had be pregnant before her exams. But Ronan knew for a fact that
she hadn''t been pregnant before that. After her exams, she had stayed with the Evans family and
hadn''t had a chance to be with Jamie. During their lunch, Janice had told him Cordelia was pregnant.
Ronan now realized that Cordelia''s attitude wasn''t to cover up an illegitimate pregnancy. It was genuine
surprise. She didn''t know she was pregnant.
Therefore, the only exnation was that she had be pregnant the day before her exams. The
twins were his!
The remaining 5% of his hope was for Cordelia to confirm it herself.
Ronan nced at Cordelia. She sat there, absently ying with her fingers with a look of conflict
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showing on her face.
"What''s wrong?" He asked, his voice gentle. His face softened, but Cordelia remained oblivious.