Saturday's sun cast long shadows across the nursing home as Veronica and Phillip arrived, a homemade birthday cake carefully balanced between them. The cheerful decorations in the common room stood in stark contrast to the heaviness in Veronica's heart.

Rose sat motionless by the window, her gaunt frame seemingly more diminished since their last visit. Despite the staff's enthusiastic celebration around her, she remained lost in her own world, her vacant eyes fixed on some distant point only she could see.

"Make a wish, Rose!" one of the caregivers encouraged, placing a slice of cake before her.

Veronica watched, her throat tight with emotion, as her mother gave no response. Beside her, Mary dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. The scene was a cruel reminder of all they had lost.

"Ms. Murray?" The nursing home director approached with a folder clutched to her chest, her professional demeanor barely masking her concern. "Could I speak with you for a moment?"

Stepping away from the small celebration, Veronica followed the director to a quiet corner.

"I'm afraid I have some difficult news," the director began, her voice gentle but direct. "This morning's health assessment revealed significant deterioration in Rose's condition."

The words hit Veronica like physical blows.

"Multiple organs are showing signs of failure," the director continued. "The years of emotional trauma, combined with her poor appetite and general withdrawal—they've taken a tremendous toll on her body."

"What does this mean?" Mary asked, having overheard and joined them. Her voice trembled.

The director's expression softened with sympathy. "We need more comprehensive tests to confirm everything, but if this decline continues at the current rate..." She paused, reluctant to voice the inevitable conclusion.

Mary swayed on her feet, her face draining of color. Veronica quickly moved to support her aunt.

"How much time?" Veronica managed to ask, her voice barely audible.

The director's silence was answer enough.

The drive home was silent. Phillip occasionally glanced at Veronica in the rearview mirror, concerned by her stoic expression that he knew concealed profound pain.

At home, Mary retreated to her bedroom without a word. Veronica stood in the kitchen, staring at the empty refrigerator, realizing they needed groceries despite no one having an appetite.

"I'll be back soon," she told Phillip, grabbing her car keys.

The supermarket's harsh fluorescent lighting seemed to intensify her headache as she mechanically selected items from the shelves. In her mind, memories of her mother—vibrant and full of life—played on repeat, cruelly juxtaposed against the frail woman she'd just visited.

"Veronica?"

The voice pulled her from her thoughts. She turned to see Vivian standing there, a shopping basket hooked over one arm.

"Hi," Veronica managed, offering a slight nod.

Vivian's friendly smile faltered as she noticed Veronica's expression. "Are you okay? You look..."

"I'm fine," Veronica cut her off, unwilling to discuss her mother's condition.

After paying for her groceries, she headed toward the exit, but Vivian's voice stopped her again.

"Um, just so you know, Mr. Dennis is at the Crystal residence right now. Having dinner with the family..."

Veronica's fingers tightened around the handles of her shopping bags. The Crystal—one of the families responsible for her mother's condition. And Cullen, dining with them like old friends. A bitter taste filled her mouth.

"Thanks for letting me know," she replied tonelessly before walking out into the night.

Back at the Murray home, dinner was a silent affair. No one had the heart for conversation. Afterward, Veronica retreated to her room, seeking escape in a book, though the words blurred before her eyes.

Around eleven, she finally set the book aside and noticed her phone had died. Plugging it in, she headed to the bathroom for a shower, letting the hot water cascade over her, wishing it could wash away the day's heartache.

Wrapped in her robe, she checked her now-revived phone to find several missed calls. One was from Leon. She hesitated briefly before returning his call first.

"Ms. Murray," Leon answered promptly. "I just received word from Mr. Dennis's lawyer. They've completed all the paperwork regarding the asset division."

Veronica closed her eyes, absorbing the significance of his words.

"You can officially begin the divorce process now," he continued.

Another ending, on a day already heavy with loss. Veronica stared out her window at the night sky, wondering how many more blows life intended to deliver.

"Thank you for letting me know," she said quietly. "I'll contact you tomorrow to discuss next steps."

After ending the call, she sat motionless on the edge of her bed. The Mack and Crystal families continued to thrive while her mother withered away. Cullen dined with them while finalizing their divorce.

"Karma has its way," Dario had told her. But tonight, with the nursing home director's grim prognosis still fresh in her mind, Veronica wondered if karma would arrive too late for any justice to matter.