Perhaps sensing the uncertainty behind Veronica's silence, Marco stepped closer. "I give you my word that whatever happens between us personally will never affect the business relationship I have with your uncle."
Veronica studied his face in the dim light. "You can promise that?"
Phillip's company was drowning in debt, and Veronica knew every day counted. After weighing her options, she finally nodded. "Fine."
"Just tell me when you're available, and I'll set everything up."
"I will," she answered.
Marco's gaze lingered on her dark hair as the evening breeze caught the strands around her face. "It's getting cold out here. You should go inside."
The words hit her like a slap. Cullen had said the exact same thing to her not even an hour ago.
She said nothing, just walked to her car without looking back.
Marco didn't move from his spot on the sidewalk.
As Veronica drove past him, she lowered her window briefly and gave him a curt nod before pressing the accelerator and disappearing into the night.
He stood there watching her taillights fade before finally getting into his own vehicle.
Inside the house, Mary, Phillip, and Poppy were still up, though Adrian and Thomas had retreated to their rooms hours earlier.
The moment Veronica walked through the door, all three pairs of eyes fixed on her. They'd clearly been waiting.
"There you are," Mary said, reaching out her arms.
Veronica dropped her purse and settled beside her grandmother on the couch.
Mary took her hands and searched her face. "Ver, have you finally decided to walk away from Cullen?"
Her behavior tonight had been completely different. Anyone with eyes could see the change.
"Yes," Veronica said without hesitation. "We're filing for divorce."
Mary's face lit up with relief. "Thank God. It's about time."
But then worry creased her features. "Sa adores that man, and I'll give him credit where it's due—he's been good to her these past two years. He won't just hand over custody without a fight. This could get messy."
Veronica had no intention of fighting for Sabrina, but she kept that to herself.
Instead, she stood up. "I'll handle it when the time comes. It's late—we should all get some sleep."
The others headed upstairs, but Veronica's night was far from over.
Malcolm and Dario had spent their drive home brainstorming new research angles, and by the time she reached her bedroom, her phone was buzzing with a massive assignment list from Dario.
His message was blunt: "Professor's orders. Everything needs to be done by six AM."
Veronica stared at her laptop screen and typed back, "Understood."
She didn't bother changing out of her dress or washing off her makeup. She just cracked her knuckles and dove in.
The hours crawled by as she worked through calculations and data analysis. Finally, at four in the morning, she hit send on the last file.
Dario was burning the midnight oil too and responded immediately: "Professor wants us there before nine."
"Got it," she replied.
Neither of them had energy left for small talk.
Veronica closed her laptop and dragged herself to the bathroom. The face staring back at her in the mirror looked hollow-eyed and pale, but she mechanically went through the motions of removing her makeup and showering.
By the time she crawled into bed, dawn was already creeping through her curtains.
She set her alarm for three hours later and collapsed onto her pillow.
The shrill beeping yanked her from deep sleep. Every muscle in her body screamed in protest, but she forced herself upright and stumbled to the bathroom.
When she made it downstairs, she looked like she'd been hit by a truck.
Mary took one look at her granddaughter's exhausted face and frowned. "You need more sleep. Can't you skip this once?"
"Not with Professor Malcolm."
Mary had heard enough stories about the demanding academic to know arguing was pointless. "You're in no condition to drive. Take the car and driver."
"Thanks," Veronica mumbled.
At Malcolm's villa, she found Dario looking equally worse for wear. The professor, however, was as sharp as ever, immediately ushering them into his study where stacks of research materials waited.
The next several hours blurred together as they worked through complex theories and experimental designs. Veronica's vision kept blurring from exhaustion, but she pushed through, knowing Malcolm's standards allowed no room for weakness.
Dario caught her swaying slightly during their third hour and quietly slid his coffee cup toward her. She accepted it gratefully, the bitter liquid providing a temporary jolt to her system.
Malcolm noticed everything but said nothing, his keen eyes assessing their dedication as much as their academic progress.
When they finally wrapped up their session, Veronica felt like she might collapse in the professor's driveway. The combination of emotional turmoil from the evening before and the brutal all-nighter had pushed her to her absolute limit.
Dario walked her to the car, genuine concern replacing his usual competitive edge. "Are you going to make it home?"
"I'll be fine," she lied, though her hands shook as she opened the car door.
The drive back felt endless, every red light a small mercy that let her close her eyes for a few precious seconds. By the time she reached home, even the driver was eyeing her with worry.
Mary was waiting in the foyer, taking one look at Veronica's gray complexion before immediately steering her toward the stairs.
"Bed. Now. Everything else can wait."
For once, Veronica didn't argue.