232 Chapter 232 – Between Kindness and Distance
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232 Chapter 232 – Between Kindness and Distance
The VIP floor maintained its characteristic tranquility.
Cullen approached her, saying simply, “You’re here.”
–
Upon pushing open the hospital room door, she immediately noticed Cullen, Marco, and Nate seated inside. Recalling Niall’s presence downstairs, understanding dawned – they had likely arrived together.
“No,” Veronica replied firmly.
Veronica stepped outside to greet him, inquiring, “Are you here to escort my grandmother to the hospital?”
Moments later, a text message appeared: “We’re going out for lunch soon. Would you
like to join us?”
Veronica closed her car door without acknowledging Niall’s presence and proceeded inside, flowers in hand.
“Give me a moment,” Veronica responded, turning back toward the house.
“Yes,” Cullen confirmed with a nod.
That explained his personal appearance to collect Mary that morning.
Relief washed over Veronica. Just as she set her phone down, it vibrated again – Cullen calling. She deliberately let it ring unanswered.
Veronica deliberately ignored his greeting. Only after making direct eye contact with Cook did her expression soften into a genuine smile. “Grandma,” she said warmly.
Veronica stared at the message but offered no response. She was certain Cullen would interpret her silence correctly.
Whitney’s voice carried unmistakable disappointment. “So that’s all it was?”
Sabrina peered over with excitement. Spotting Cullen outside, she exclaimed, “It’s Dad! Mom, please let him in!”
As she stepped out of her vehicle, her gaze fell upon Niall, who leaned casually against
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a nearby car.
His politeness was merely another form of creating distance. Only someone blinded by wishful thinking would mistake such gestures for reconciliation attempts.
That evening, work kept Veronica late. By the time she reached the hospital, the clock had already struck 7:00 PM.
Niall spotted her as well. Her lips tightened into a thin line as she gave Veronica a cold,
evaluative look but remained silent.
Around noon, however, Whitney’s name flashed on Veronica’s screen. “Ver! You won’t believe what I just saw – your husband… well, future ex–husband… helping your grandmother up the restaurant stairs!”
Upon noticing her entrance, Nate offered a smirk. Marco, however, respectfully stood
from his chair.
Before Veronica could interject, Whitney continued excitedly, “Wait a minute. Don’t tell me you two have secretly reconciled behind my back?”
Approximately ten minutes later, Mary finally emerged from the residence.
In truth, the more considerate and attentive Cullen behaved, the clearer it became that his actions stemmed from a desire to repay kindness and maintain appropriate boundaries between them.
Veronica likewise entered her vehicle to transport Sabrina to school.
Veronica cast her eyes downward, offering a soft, “Mm.”
By 11:30 that morning, while Veronica was immersed in her work, her phone rang. Mary’s voice came through with welcome news: “The surgery was successful.”
“Of course,” Cullen replied, remaining in his vehicle while he waited.
After exchanging brief, polite nods with Veronica and the other Murray family members present, Cullen slipped back into his car and drove away.
Upon seeing her, Cullen promptly exited his car and opened the passenger door with practiced courtesy.
Whether Niall had already visited Cook remained unclear.
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Indeed, no further messages followed.
Meanwhile, Sabrina, ready to head to school, called out cheerfully, “See you later, Dad!”
“Goodbye,” he responded warmly.
The rest of the Murray family perked up at this revelation. Though surprised by Cullen’s unexpected appearance, they refrained from questioning Veronica, attributing his visit to Sabrina’s presence.
“Yes, that’s all,” Veronica confirmed.
While flipping through a file on her desk, she briefly explained Cook’s fall and subsequent hospitalization. “We visited Grandma together. He’s simply showing gratitude.”
Shortly thereafter, Cullen arrived at their doorstep.
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