Dario, having visited the Murray estate before, delivered the fireworks directly without any complications.
For Marco, Veronica provided a meeting location near the Murray residence—a strategic decision to avoid any potential issues.
As the clock struck two in the afternoon, Veronica pulled into the designated meeting spot. She had expected one of Marco's employees to handle the delivery, so finding Marco himself waiting beside his car caught her by surprise.
"You made it," Marco acknowledged when she stepped out of her vehicle.
"Yes," she responded with a brief nod.
"Let's get your trunk open," he said, all business.
Once Veronica popped the trunk, Marco transferred several boxes of fireworks along with some wrapped packages. The unexpected gifts made Veronica uncomfortable.
"The gifts weren't necessary—" she began.
Marco cut her off. "These are from Cecelia. She insisted."
Veronica reached into her car and retrieved a handmade friendship bracelet along with several shopping bags containing items she'd purchased after lunch. "Please give these to Cecelia," she said, placing them in Marco's vehicle.
Marco's expression softened into a smile. "Of course."
While sorting through her offerings, he pulled out a plush rabbit. "What's this exactly?" he asked, examining the fluffy toy.
"It's a light-up rabbit wand," Veronica explained. "I bought two different ones—a bear and this rabbit. Children usually love them."
Marco inspected both novelty items, noting their festive designs and cute features. Both were clearly made to delight young children during celebrations.
"Cecelia will definitely appreciate these. Thank you," he said with genuine warmth.
Veronica shrugged off his gratitude. "It's just a simple gift exchange—no thanks necessary."
Marco glanced toward a café across the street. "Care to grab something to drink before you go?"
"I can't," Veronica declined immediately. "I have other commitments today. Need to leave shortly."
She was scheduled to accompany Mary to the hospital for Cook's discharge later that evening.
Marco paused momentarily before accepting her rejection. "I understand."
Without further conversation, Veronica returned to her car and drove away, leaving Marco standing in the parking lot.
Upon returning home, she joined Mary, and they gathered the presents they'd prepared for Cook before heading to the hospital. They had contacted Cook earlier to confirm their visit.
When they arrived at Cook's hospital room, they found only Cook and her caretaker, Matilda. Sabrina was conspicuously absent.
Whether this was an intentional arrangement to avoid awkwardness or mere coincidence remained unclear.
Mary couldn't hide her disappointment, though she remained silent on the matter.
Cook immediately noticed Mary's fallen expression. She was well aware of Veronica and Cullen's pending divorce.
Since New Year's Lewis, when Watson had returned without Veronica, Cook had realized that regardless of their official divorce status, Veronica was already separating herself from the Dennis family.
She'd correctly assumed that Veronica wouldn't be celebrating the Bloom Celebration at Dennis Estate this year.
Regarding Sabrina's custody situation, Cook had broached the subject with Cullen several days ago, but he had remained completely inflexible. When she'd recently asked where Sabrina would spend the upcoming Bloom Celebration, Cullen had simply replied that it would be Sabrina's choice.
However, Sabrina had been traveling abroad and was only returning that evening, leaving the question unresolved.
Seeing her old friend's disappointment, Cook felt a wave of guilt wash over her.
The reality was that Sabrina had grown increasingly attached to Cullen. Without Sabrina's explicit agreement, Cook couldn't make any promises to Mary or Veronica.
Though nothing was said aloud, both Mary and Veronica understood the complicated dynamics at play.
They deliberately avoided mentioning Sabrina, instead focusing on lighter conversation topics and Cook's recovery progress.
After approximately thirty minutes, with Cook's discharge time approaching, Veronica and Mary decided to take their leave rather than impose further.
Before their departure, Cook had her staff bring down gifts she'd prepared for them to the hospital lobby.
Shortly after their exit, Cullen arrived at the hospital.
Cook knew he had intentionally timed his arrival to avoid encountering Veronica.
The divorce was inevitable—Cook had accepted that she couldn't prevent it.
As Cullen sat beside her bed, skillfully peeling an apple with practiced precision, Cook pressed her lips together before speaking. "Cullen, Sabrina is Veronica's daughter—her flesh and blood. Can't you at least grant her custody?"
Cullen continued peeling the apple with his characteristic grace, responding with chilling indifference, "Sabrina is my daughter too."
Cook's frustration boiled over. "You barely showed any interest in her for years! How dare you fight for custody now?"
Cullen placed the perfectly peeled and sliced apple on a plate, offering it to his grandmother. "I've changed now."
Cook turned away, refusing both his offering and his justification.
Cullen set the plate down with a soft sigh. "Grandma, this matter is between Veronica and me. Please stay out of it."
After completing the discharge paperwork, Cullen first escorted Cook back to Dennis Estate.
Later that evening, as scheduled, he drove to the airport to pick up Sabrina and bring her home, leaving the matter of her upcoming holiday arrangements still undetermined.