Veronica found herself nodding in agreement with her own assessment. Deep down, she sensed this was Cullen's method of compensating Niall after he had blocked her uncle from securing the villa that faced Phillip's residence.
The logic seemed sound enough. Cullen's devotion to Niall was undeniable, and Veronica couldn't imagine him allowing the woman he cherished to harbor any resentment, especially not for something as trivial as Veronica's comfort.
Dario broke the silence with measured words. "If Niall has been hiding her true abilities this entire time, then we might be facing a different situation altogether."
His voice faded into uncertainty, leaving the sentence hanging between them like a blade. Both he and Veronica shared the bond of being Malcolm's students, a connection that ran deeper than mere academic relationships.
Despite Malcolm's often frigid demeanor, Dario knew the professor harbored genuine affection for his pupils. The man's harsh exterior concealed a surprisingly tender heart, and his demanding standards stemmed from care rather than cruelty.
Yet Malcolm possessed an unwavering moral compass. If Niall truly demonstrated exceptional talent and skill, he would never deny her apprenticeship simply because of her conflict with Veronica. His principles wouldn't allow such pettiness.
This realization gnawed at Dario, creating an uncomfortable knot of worry in his chest.
Veronica, however, had already steadied her emotions. Her voice carried quiet determination as she spoke. "We need to focus on our responsibilities right now."
The path forward seemed clear enough. She would pour every ounce of her ability into executing her duties flawlessly, leaving no room for criticism or doubt.
The evening shadows had grown long by the time Veronica finally returned to the house. Cook had already retreated to her bedroom hours ago, but Cullen's absence filled the empty spaces like a familiar ache. Most likely, he wouldn't bother coming home at all tonight.
After her bath, Veronica emerged from the bathroom to find Cullen standing in their bedroom. His unexpected presence caught her off guard, causing her to pause mid-step. She offered him a brief nod of acknowledgment.
Neither of them addressed the elephant in the room. Veronica didn't question Cullen about his dinner plans with Malcolm, and he offered no explanations. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment before he disappeared into the bathroom, leaving her alone with the sound of running water.
Morning arrived later than usual for Veronica, her body finally succumbing to much-needed rest. As she descended the staircase, Cook's voice drifted up from the dining room, sharp with mock indignation.
"The clock struck eleven last night, Cullen, and you still hadn't shown your face. I was convinced you'd chosen to spend another night elsewhere."
Cullen occupied his usual chair at the breakfast table, his posture relaxed as he lifted his teacup to his lips. Cook's pointed remarks seemed to bounce off him without leaving a mark.
She drummed her fingers against the polished wood surface, her theatrical anger barely concealing her amusement. "Don't just sit there like a statue. Say something."
Cullen lowered his cup with deliberate slowness. His gaze found Veronica as she approached, holding her attention for a heartbeat before returning to Cook. "You were quite insistent yesterday about my presence this morning. Something about taking you somewhere special."
"I assumed my words had fallen on deaf ears once again." Cook's scoff carried no real bite.
"I wouldn't dare ignore your requests." Despite his conciliatory words, Cullen's expression remained utterly unruffled, showing no signs of genuine contrition.
Cook threw her hands up in exasperation, her frustration mixing with reluctant fondness. Rather than continue their verbal sparring, she turned her attention to Veronica, patting the empty chair beside her.
Veronica settled into the offered seat, curiosity coloring her voice. "Are you and Cullen planning an outing today, Grandma?"
"Not just the two of us." Cook's face lit up with mischief. "All three of us are going somewhere wonderful. Where would you like to go, Veronica? I'm entirely at your disposal."
The question left Veronica feeling oddly blank. She had never considered herself particularly adventurous or imaginative when it came to entertainment. The pressure to choose something that would satisfy everyone seemed overwhelming.
"I'm comfortable with whatever you'd prefer, Grandma. You should decide."
Cook's smile suggested she had been hoping for exactly this response. Her eyes sparkled with plans already set in motion.
"A hot spring resort sounds perfect, don't you think? We discussed it before, but someone's behavior caused those plans to collapse before they could begin. Now he can make proper amends for his previous rudeness."
Her pointed look left no doubt about which someone she meant.
Cullen continued his methodical tea consumption, apparently immune to Cook's barbed references to past incidents. His calm indifference suggested the memory held no power to embarrass or unsettle him.
Veronica found herself looking away from Cullen, her thoughts drifting to previous hot spring visits. The experience held little appeal for her at the moment, but Cook's enthusiasm made refusal impossible.
"That sounds lovely," she agreed, her voice carrying warmth she didn't entirely feel.