Chapter 529


    After finishing up the dishes, Cordelia wiped her hands dry and turned to young Callum. "Remember to


    listen to your dad, okay? I have to go back to school to help Victoria with some work, and I have


    sses to teach. I''m really busy. You cane have lunch with me at the school with your dad, maybe


    around noon or in the afternoon."


    "Okay, bye, Mommy," Callum replied with a child''s simplicity.


    As Cordelia said goodbye to Callum and Ronan, she felt a refreshing rity in her heart. It had been


    four years since her mother, Shelley, had passed away, and the resentment, the sense of grievance,


    and the smoldering anger that had consumed her in the wake of her mother''s death had gradually


    subsided with time. The death of Deanna and Tabitha''s imprisonment had left a sour taste in her life,


    but Ronan had said it was all "for her."


    Deep down, Cordelia couldn''t fullye to terms with it all, but she desperately wanted to move on, to


    find excuses for him, because her feelings made her want to find those excuses for him.


    As Cordelia walked down the corridor of Unity Hall, an elderly man suddenly stopped her. He looked to


    be in histe sixties or seventies, his hair waspletely white, and he was sporting sses and a


    well-tailored tweed coat that screamed distinguished professor. However, Cordelia was certain she had


    never seen him before.


    She didn''t think much of it; after all, the school was filled with strangers. But there was something about


    the elderly man that she found endearing, probably a throwback to the fond memories of Barney. She


    felt an inexplicable warmth toward this old man.


    She didn''t notice the man''s gaze fixed on her as she walked past, a blend of curiosity, scrutiny, and


    admiration.


    "Miss Cordelia?" he called out from behind her.


    Turning her head, she smiled at the old man. Her recent reconciliation with Ronan and the favorable


    impression the gentleman made contributed to her pleasant demeanor. "Yes? Do you know me?"


    "Do you have a moment? I''d like to have a chat with you," said the man.


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    "Me?" Cordelia pointed to herself, still unsure of the man''s identity.


    "Yes."


    "Well..." she began, almost inviting him to her home, considering it was almost as weing as her


    office, but she hesitated, not yet knowing the stranger''s intentions. "Let''s go to the campus bistro. It''s


    usually quiet there, and we can find a private booth."


    "Sounds good."


    The Birchwood College bistro was renowned for its high standards, boasting rave reviews on various


    dining apps. Many young couples sought it out for dates, but securing a table was a challenge. For


    those within the college, however, it was a coveted perk.


    It wasn''t quite noon yet, so the bistro was rtively empty.


    Upon recognizing Cordelia as a faculty member, the waiter promptly served her a milkshake and the


    old gentleman a ss of warm milk, a little token of the staff''s regard for the faculty.


    Holding his ss of milk, the old man smiled. “It seems you’re quite popr around here, Ms.


    Haselwood."


    "Oh, it''s not that. It''s just one of the staff benefits," Cordelia replied with augh.


    She then ordered a fruit sd for herself and a pizza for the old man, not feeling particrly hungry


    after her recent meal.


    "I have a story I''d like to tell you," the old man said.


    "A story?" Cordelia was both puzzled and intrigued. She couldn''t fathom what story the old man could


    possibly have that would involve her.


    "Yes, just think of it as a story."


    "Alright then," Cordelia responded. Her curiosity was piqued as she stirred her milkshake with a spoon,


    waiting for the tale to unfold.