166 Chapter 166 Cook Speaks Truth
166 Chapter 166 Cook Speaks Truth
The question hung between them, loaded with everything they weren’t saying.
Marco had been walking through his hotel lobby when the call came. The words stopped him cold, causing other guests to flow around him like water around a stone.
“Can Ie with you, Daddy?”
The shrill ring of Cullen’s phone cut through the tension like a de. He nced at the screen, and something flickered across his features before heposed himself again. Rising from his chair with fluid grace, he stepped away from the table to take the call.
Nate stared at his phone in confusion as the line went dead. “Well, that was rude.”
“There’s something else-” Nate began.
Sabrina’s fork ttered against her te as she looked up eagerly. She had that look in her eyes, the one that suggested she knew exactly who had called and where her father was headed.
Back at the hospital, Sabrina had positioned herself in the chair closest to Niall’s bed, chattering animatedly about school and friends while Cullen stood by the window. The scene lookedfortable, natural even. Like a real family.
Veronica kept her focus on her te, methodically cutting her food into precise pieces. Even when Cook’s words hung in the air like an usation, she didn’t lift her eyes. She had perfected the art of bing invisible at family dinners, of existing in the same space as Cullen without truly being present.
“It’s happening” Nate said without preamble. “Cullen’s moving forward with the divorce.”
The front door closed with a soft click, followed by the sound of Cullen’s car pulling away from the manor. The silence that followed felt both oppressive and liberating.
“Of course.”
“I was there when he handed her the papers. And get this–he’s not giving her custody of Sabrina either.”
“Are you serious? This is actually happening?”
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166 Chapter 166–Cook Speaks Truth
For the first time during dinner, Veronica spoke clearly and decisively. “I can’t, Grandma. I’m meeting someone tonight.”
Veronica waited exactly ten minutes before gathering her purse and keys. As her own car wound down the long driveway away from Dennis Estate, she pressed the call button on her steering wheel.
“I’ll have three options for you by morning. The best attorneys in the city”
Sabrina practically bounded to Cullen’s side, her relief poorly concealed. As they prepared to leave, she turned back with a brightness that felt performative.
“Dario.”
After ending the call, Veronica drove through the city streets feeling lighter than she had in months. For the first time in years, she was taking action instead of simply enduring.
“Veronica? What’s wrong? You sound-”
“I have to go,” Marco cut him off abruptly. “I’ll call you back.”
Marco’s knuckles went white where he gripped the phone. The familiar rage that had been simmering for months threatened to boil over.
“Perfect. Thank you.”
“Take care,” Veronica replied, her voice steady and unremarkable.
Despite everything, Veronica found herself almost smiling at his enthusiasm. “Dead serious. Can you rmend someone reliable?”
Veronica had just pulled into her driveway when her phone rang. Marco’s name on the disy made her pause. They hadn’t spoken in weeks, not since that awkward encounter at the charity g.
“Hello, Marco. What can I do for you?”
Nate had excused himself to the hallway, where he immediately dialed Marco’s
number.
Three hundred miles away, Marco was already scrolling through his contacts. His
thumb hovered over Veronica’s name for several long seconds before he finally pressed
<i>me </i><i>for </i><i>se </i>
<b>call</b>.
166 Chapter 166–Cook Speaks Truth
Cook turned to Veronica with the kind of hopeful expression that made Veronica’s chest tighten. “You should go too, sweetheart. Tomorrow’s Saturday, and you’ve been working so hardtely. Some fresh air would do you good.”
Cullen’s response was nothing more than that maddening half–smile he wore when he wanted to end a conversation without actually addressing it. The expression that revealed absolutely nothing while somehow managing to be condescending.
“If you’re hoping to arrange another visit, I should mention that tomorrow won’t work for me. I have several appointments to handle. Would early next week be better for you?”
Cook’s watchful eyes had been tracking the subtle changes in Veronica’s behavior for weeks now. The woman who once lit up around Cullen, who used to reach for his hand during dinner or steal nces when she thought no one was looking, had grown distant.
For months, Veronica had been the one extending olive branches, making efforts, trying to bridge whatever gap existed between them. But every gesture had been met with Cullen’s characteristic restraint, his polite but imprable wall of control.
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor came through the phone, followed by what sounded like Dario choking on his drink.
His absencested only minutes, but when he returned, there was a new energy about him. Controlled urgency.
Veronica settled back in her driver’s seat, assuming this was about scheduling another meeting. His hesitation suggested he was being careful about something, probably trying not to push too hard about his daughter.
“I need to handle something,” he announced to Cook, already reaching for his jacket. “I’ll be leaving now.”
“You’re certain about this?”
“This is entirely your doing,” Cook said, her voice carrying the weight of disappointment as she fixed Cullen with a pointed stare.
“Cullen presented me with divorce papers today.” The words came out clinical,
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166 Chapter 166–Cook Speaks Truth
matter–of–fact. “There’s a property settlement included. I need awyer to review everything and make sure there aren’t any legal traps I’m missing”
The sound of her voice, so calm and professional, made his prepared words dissolve on his tongue. He wanted to ask if she was okay, if she needed anything, if there was any way he could help. But what right did he have?
“Bye, Mom.”
“I…” He cleared his throat, searching for safe ground. “I wanted to discuss the situation
with Cecelia.”
The disappointment in Cook’s eyes was almost physical. “Oh. Well, if you must.”
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