Chapter 21
“Darrell keeps saying he’s never had a single meal I cooked for him, right? Then we’ll start with a meal!”
Declan froze, then tried to turn away, but Cordelia grabbed him.
“Where do you think you’re going?
“Darrell is our child. You’re cooking with me!”
With no choice, Declan took off his suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and followed Cordelia into the kitchen.
The maids working there nearly dropped their jaws when they heard Cordelia wanted to learn cooking.
Norma quickly wiped her hands on her apron. “Cooking is our job. Just tell us what you’d like to eat.”
Cordelia waved her hand.
“That’s not the same.
“I need to learn and cook for Darrell myself.”
Norma thought she must have misheard because of her age.
She quickly looked at Declan.
But he confirmed it.
“Norma, just tell us what Darrell likes to eat and teach us how to make it.”
The other servants murmured among themselves as if something unbelievable had happened.
“Has the sun risen in the west today?”
“Maybe the sun never came out at all.”
Cordelia rolled her eyes. “What are you mumbling about? Get moving already!”
Norma hurried to answer.
“Mr. Darrell doesn’t have many foods he likes, but he does have quite a lot he dislikes.”
“For example?”
Norma took a deep breath and rattled off, “Mr. Darrell hates carrots, cilantro, and onions. If green peppers are cut into strips and stir–fried, but if they’re cut into chunks and stewed, he won’t touch them.
“And, he won’t eat anything sour or sweet. Eggplant has to be peeled, and beef only if it’s curry–flavored. Stir–fried
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Chapter 21
celery is fine, but making it stuffing and he’ll spit it right out…”
Cordelia’s head was spinning.
She quickly cut Norma off, “Stop, stop, stop… What are you babbling on about?”
Once it sank in, she was stunned.
“Wait.
“Is Darrell always this picky about food?
“He refuses this and that. What a spoiled kid!”
The servants all nodded knowingly, each thinking his parents should know who he learned it from.
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Cordelia rubbed her forehead with a sigh, then looked up slowly after a few seconds. “Then is there anything he actu- ally likes lately?”
Norma thought for a moment, then clapped her hands. “Yes! Mr. Darrell has been into turducken recently! He kept asking me the other day when I’d make it again.”
She bent and picked up something. “I just bought some bread stuffing not long ago. I was planning to make the dish.”
Cordelia nodded. “Then we’ll learn that!”
Under the curious eyes of all the servants, Cordelia and Declan put on aprons and gloves.
Declan, worried she might cut herself, offered to handle everything that required a knife.
Cordelia had no objection. She followed Norma’s instructions to prep the other ingredients and the fire.
However, she had barely ever cooked.
And turducken was a test of real skill.
Cordelia groaned inwardly, struggling hard to follow the complicated steps.
Declan watched her clumsy movements, lost in thought.
It was as if he had returned to a summer long ago, when that lively young girl always liked to follow him around.
He couldn’t help but wonder whether she’d still be willing to work hard to keep this family together after she regained her memories.
Everyone used to tell him Cordelia never loved him and was an irresponsible mother.
Otherwise, how could their marriage have spiraled into endless conflict, and all three children ended up with prob- lems?
He had believed it too.
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Chapter 21
But if Cordelia truly didn’t care, why had she contacted the correction school years in advance?
“Declan, what are you daydreaming about?
“I’ve called you several times. Hurry up and bring me the stuffing.”
Cordelia’s voice snapped him back.
Declan quickly handed over the stuffing he’d prepared and watched Cordelia carefully stuff it inside.
“Norma, is this right?”
Norma nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, you’re a quick learner!”
There came the next step.
Cordelia was thrilled. She realized how satisfying it felt to watch a dish take shape under her own hands.
After two full hours, the turducken was finally ready.
Cordelia couldn’t wait to plate it, then placed it in front of Declan.
“Go on, taste it! See how it is!”
Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, Declan picked up a piece and put it into his mouth.
When that thing went into his mouth, Declan couldn’t even tell what exactly he was eating.
With no courage to chew, he just swallowed it straight down his throat.
“How is it? Tasty or not?”
Seeing Declan’s odd expression, Cordelia felt a little uneasy.
Luckily, after swallowing, Declan replied, “Not bad.”
Cordelia instantly lit up inside.
Not bad. That meant it wasn’t terrible, maybe even delicious!
Who would’ve thought she might have some talent for cooking after all?
Cordelia quickly picked up a fork and served herself a piece.
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Chapter 22
Then…
