Veronica and Mary sat with Cook for about thirty minutes while Cullen remained mostly quiet, his presence more like a shadow than an active participant in their conversation.
When he finally spoke, it was only to announce, "I'm stepping out for a bit."
Cook didn't hide her irritation. "Just go then," she scoffed, waving him off without a second glance.
After Cullen left the hospital room, his absence stretched longer than expected. Thirty minutes passed with no sign of his return, leaving the women to their own devices.
Earlier, Matilda had been fluttering around the room, ensuring everything was perfect—fresh fruit artfully arranged on plates, delicate pastries on tiered stands, and hot tea steaming in elegant cups.
When Matilda stepped away momentarily, Veronica noticed Mary's tea had grown cold. Without hesitation, she picked up the small porcelain teapot and moved toward the table, intending to brew a fresh pot.
Cook watched Veronica's graceful movements as she prepared the tea, her thoughts drifting to her son. With a furrowed brow, she mumbled, "Cullen really is something... disappearing for so long without a word about what he's doing."
Veronica hadn't given Cullen's departure much thought until Cook's complaint sparked her memory. Niall was still waiting downstairs. Cullen had likely gone to keep her company—though remaining absent for over half an hour seemed excessive by any standard.
After brewing the tea to perfection, Veronica poured three fresh cups for herself, Mary, and Cook, the aroma filling the sterile hospital room with warmth.
Just as she set the teapot down, the door swung open and Cullen strode in with an unreadable expression.
Cook looked up at him with narrowed eyes. "I thought you weren't coming back."
Cullen's only response was a faint smile, offering no explanation for his extended absence.
Seemingly content to drop the subject, Cook turned to Veronica with genuine affection in her eyes. "Ver still makes the best tea," she praised, taking a appreciative sip.
Cullen remained on the periphery of their conversation, his contributions minimal. However, when their teapot emptied, he silently noted Cook's subtle gesture and moved to refill their cups without being asked.
As another thirty minutes passed, the evening sky darkened beyond the hospital windows, painting the room in soft shadows.
Veronica and Mary exchanged knowing glances, acknowledging it was time to leave.
Cook immediately instructed Cullen, "You should have dinner with them," but Cullen's hesitation was visible in his tense shoulders.
Before he could formulate a response, Veronica and Mary had already declined the offer. "There's no need to trouble yourself," Veronica said smoothly. "We have soup waiting at home—we'll just eat there."
While this wasn't a lie, both women genuinely had no desire to share a meal with Cullen. The thought of forced conversation over dinner seemed more exhausting than appealing.
Cook, perceptive as always, seemed to understand their reluctance and didn't push the issue. Instead, she simply directed Cullen to escort them downstairs.
With a nod, Cullen agreed, then turned back to his mother. "I have some matters to take care of. I'll come by again tomorrow."
"Go, go," Cook dismissed him with a wave. "Come if you want to, I don't care."
Despite her dismissive words, she had noticed Cullen's increased hospital visits since her fall. His attentiveness had pleased her, even if she wouldn't admit it openly. Her only lingering dissatisfaction was his persistent attitude toward Veronica and his unwavering determination to proceed with the divorce.
Cullen walked silently alongside Veronica and Mary as they descended in the elevator. The air between them hummed with unspoken tension, words left unsaid weighing heavily in the confined space.
As they stepped out of the elevator into the hospital lobby, they encountered Leo waiting for the next lift, a backpack slung casually over his shoulders.
Upon seeing them, his face brightened. "Cull, Veronica, Madam Jayden," he greeted them respectfully.
Veronica and Mary acknowledged him with polite nods, but before Veronica could say anything more, Cullen cut in sharply, "Why aren't you in class yet?"
"I'm going to check on Grandma for a bit, then I'll head to class," Leo explained, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
"Go on, then," Cullen replied, his tone softening slightly.
"Okay," Leo responded, stepping into the elevator as the doors opened.
Veronica and Mary continued toward the hospital entrance, the evening air a welcome change from the antiseptic smell of the hospital corridors.
At the threshold, Veronica turned to Cullen and said firmly, "You don't have to see us off."
Cullen made no attempt to insist otherwise. "Alright," he replied, already turning away as the women stepped into the gathering darkness.