Chapter 90 She and Alaric Are Not Favored by Fate
Hannah was busy, so after they made plans, she hung up.
Cordelia was about to put her phone down when it rang again.
Seeing the caller was unknown, she frowned, guessed it was Amy, and ignored it.
A while later, Alaric called.
Cordelia's eyes darkened slightly as she picked up.
Alaric's deep voice came through the line.
"Tomorrow's Mrs. Jennings' birthday. She called you but you didn't pick up, so she asked me to let you know."
Cordelia paused, didn't respond to Alaric, and hung up. She found the recent missed call and dialed back.
Delphine answered, her kind voice greeting her.
"Is this Dr. Stone?"
Cordelia quickly replied, "Yes, Mrs. Jennings. This is Cordelia."
Delphine chuckled. "Tomorrow's my birthday. I'd like to invite you and Alaric over for a simple home-cooked meal."
"You've kept quite the secret. If it weren't for the housekeeper seeing the news online, I wouldn't have known that Alaric's wife was you."
Delphine had previously expressed regret that Cordelia and Alaric couldn't fall in love.
Cordelia pressed her lips together. "I didn't tell you last time because Alaric and I were already preparing for a divorce."
"I'm not his wife anymore."
Delphine was silent for a few seconds. "Why the divorce? Because of Janet?"
Cordelia's grip on the phone tightened. "No. There were many reasons."
She and Alaric had been married for three years, and it wasn't solely because of Janet that they were divorcing.
Janet's presence just made it clear to her that Alaric didn't love her.
She had persisted in a loveless marriage for three years. When Janet returned, Alaric asked for a divorce, and she figured there was no point in continuing.
Delphine sighed. "Will you come tomorrow?"
Cordelia smiled slightly. "Since you've invited me, I'll be there."
Delphine's tone noticeably brightened after Cordelia's answer.
The next day.
Cordelia applied light makeup to ensure she looked presentable.
As she left, she grabbed the gift she had prepared for Delphine and greeted Donald.
The last time Cordelia went out alone, she sprained her ankle, so Donald was worried and kept reminding her to be careful.
At the Stone Manor entrance.
Alaric's car was parked boldly at the front door, pushing the Stone family car to the back.
He stood at the door, his expression a mix of emotions.
He had just tried entering the code once, only to find it incorrect.
Clearly, Cordelia had changed the code that night.
Seeing Cordelia step out in a simple dress, holding a gift box, he composed himself and walked over, hearing Donald remind Cordelia to stay safe. He immediately assured him.
"Mr. Stone, don't worry. I'll take good care of her."
Donald nodded but felt that Cordelia was in danger precisely because Alaric was there.
"Drive carefully. Cordelia's foot only recently healed. If anything happens again, it could cause lasting damage."
Alaric nodded solemnly and reached for the gift box in Cordelia's hand.
Cordelia handed it over without hesitation. Alaric was about to put it in the trunk when he noticed Cordelia opening the backseat door.
He placed the gift box on the backseat and looked at Cordelia, speaking evenly.
"Sit in the front."
Cordelia raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. She opened the front passenger door and got in.
Donald stood at the door, watching her with concern.
Cordelia waved at him, signaling him to go inside.
Donald finally turned back, taking a few steps before reminding Alaric not to let anything happen to Cordelia.
Alaric reassured him again, and Donald went inside.
The drive was mostly silent between Cordelia and Alaric.
After retiring, Delphine and Allan moved to their countryside home in Shadowpine. Public transport didn't reach there, so Janet had to walk about ten minutes from the bus stop to the Jennings Villa.
As she walked, she saw Alaric's car pass by and waved.
Alaric didn't even slow down, driving past her without a glance.
Cordelia turned from the window, glancing at Alaric.
"Ms. Martin's here too. Aren't you going to give her a ride?"
Alaric answered without hesitation.
"No room."
Cordelia raised an eyebrow, looking at the backseat.
The backseat held her gift box and Alaric's gift.
She turned her gaze back, saying nothing.
At the Jennings Villa, Alaric parked at the entrance.
Allan saw his car and walked over.
Cordelia opened the door and got out, greeting Allan.
"Mr. Jennings."
Allan smiled warmly. "Come in and sit. Living in the countryside, the journey must have been tiring."
Cordelia replied, "Mr. Jennings, you're too polite. The countryside air is good, and it's a great place for Mrs. Jennings to recover."
Allan smiled, leading Cordelia inside.
The small courtyard was filled with blooming flowers. Delphine was sitting in a lounge chair in the yard. Seeing Cordelia, she got up with a smile.
Cordelia walked over to support her, chatting as they went inside.
Alaric and Allan carried the gifts inside.
Seeing all the gift boxes, Delphine said, "I invited you for a simple meal. Why bring so much?"
Alaric glanced at Cordelia.
"She brought them."
Hearing this, Delphine took Cordelia's hand and spoke warmly.
Allan and Delphine had no children, so their students helped prepare the family gathering.
Cordelia and Evelyn's presence drew curious glances from the kitchen.
Cordelia didn't stay idle. She couldn't cook but helped with the vegetables.
When Janet arrived, she saw Delphine and Cordelia picking vegetables in the backyard.
Alaric stood at the back door, watching. His gaze was almost glued to Cordelia, a slight, unnoticed smile on his lips.
Janet's grip on her gift box tightened. She set it down and walked to the backyard, breaking the moment.
"Mrs. Jennings, you haven't fully recovered. Let me handle the vegetables."
Delphine looked at Janet, surprised to see her.
Cordelia glanced at Janet, then calmly resumed picking vegetables, her expression unaffected.