Chapter Thirty One

Saturday;

The nurses' lounge was quiet, the sterile smell of antiseptic lingering in the air as I sat in one of the cushioned chairs, a book open in my hands. I stared at the pages, the words blurring together as my thoughts drifted. I was waiting for a doctor or nurse to assign me something to do, but the anticipation felt hollow.

There was a picnic I was supposed to attend—Elizabeth and Prof. Montgomery were expecting me, but the idea of joining them made my stomach twist in discomfort. Ever since I saw Montgomery and Vargas kiss, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at me.

It wasn't jealousy, not exactly, but the hurt was undeniable. Prof. Montgomery had played with my feelings, treated me like I was some toy in a game only she understood. It stung. And now, the thought of facing her, of pretending everything was fine, felt almost impossible.

Why did I care so much? Did I have feelings for her? No, I couldn't. Definitely not. I shook my head slightly, trying to push away the confusion as I refocused on the book in my lap.

"Val?" A voice came from the doorway, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see my aunt standing there, her brows furrowed in confusion.

She stepped further into the room, her eyes still fixed on me. "Elizabeth is asking where you are," she said, walking over and settling into the cushion beside me. "You have a picnic with her."

I shrugged, trying to play off my reluctance. "I don't really feel like going," I said, my tone deliberately nonchalant as I returned my gaze to the book. The words still refused to make sense, but it was easier to pretend I was absorbed in the text than to face the reality of my own emotions.

My aunt gently took the book from my hands, closing it with a soft thud before placing it on the coffee table. She gave me a warm, encouraging smile. "Val, it's Elizabeth," she said, her voice gentle but insistent. "Go have the picnic."

I let out a slow breath, my shoulders sagging in resignation. Elizabeth had been nothing but kind to me since the day we met—always warm, always welcoming, always treating me like family. She didn't deserve my hesitation, not because of my complicated feelings for her daughter. Despite everything with Prof. Montgomery, I couldn't ignore Elizabeth's kindness. I had to go.

Pushing myself up from the couch, I gave my aunt a final, grateful smile before heading for the door. The hospital hallways were quiet, the distant sounds of beeping monitors and hushed voices creating a strangely serene atmosphere. My steps echoed softly as I made my way through the winding corridors.

I had just rounded a corner when I came to an abrupt stop, almost colliding with Elizabeth and Prof. Montgomery. Elizabeth sat in a wheelchair, a picnic basket balanced carefully on her lap, her face lighting up with a smile when she saw me. Prof. Montgomery stood behind her, her hands resting on the wheelchair's handles, her expression unreadable.

"Valentina!" Elizabeth greeted, her voice filled with warmth that immediately eased some of the tension in my chest. "There you are! We were just about to come looking for you."

I forced a smile, trying to ignore the way my heart twisted at the sight of Montgomery. "Hi, Elizabeth," I said, stepping closer, my eyes flicking briefly to Prof. Montgomery before returning to Elizabeth. "Sorry for keeping you waiting."

Elizabeth shook her head, her smile never wavering. "Nonsense, dear. We're just glad you're here." She gave a small nod towards the picnic basket. "I've been looking forward to this all week."

"I can see that," I replied, my voice softening at her kindness. I stepped to the side, avoiding direct eye contact with Prof. Montgomery, who was watching me intently.

"Shall we, then?" Elizabeth said, her excitement palpable. She gave her daughter a playful nudge with her elbow. "Push us to the garden, will you?"

Prof. Montgomery let out a small sigh, her lips curving into something that almost resembled a smile. She began pushing the wheelchair forward, and I fell into step beside them. The walk was quiet at first, an awkward silence settling between us that made the air feel thick. I could feel Montgomery's eyes flicker towards me occasionally, as if she wanted to say something, but she stayed silent, her expression carefully guarded.

Elizabeth, seemingly oblivious to the tension, chatted about the garden, about how beautiful it looked with the flowers in full bloom, about how she had even convinced one of the nurses to plant some of her favorite tulips. Her voice was cheerful, and I found myself focusing on her words, allowing her warmth to slowly melt away some of the unease.

We finally reached the garden—a quiet, secluded space filled with vibrant flowers and the gentle sound of wind rustling through the leaves. Elizabeth smiled as she looked around, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Isn't it beautiful?" she said, her gaze shifting between me and her daughter. "This is the perfect spot for our picnic."

Prof. Montgomery parked the wheelchair near a shady spot under a large oak tree, and I helped Elizabeth spread out a blanket on the grass. The sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across the ground. It was peaceful, the kind of peacefulness that made it hard to hold on to anger or confusion.

I settled down on the blanket, watching as Elizabeth's face brightened while she carefully unpacked the picnic basket. The joy that radiated from her made my chest tighten with a pang of guilt. The thought of missing this, of letting her down, now seemed almost unforgivable. Elizabeth looked so genuinely happy, so content to have us both here, that it made my previous doubts feel selfish and small.

Prof. Montgomery moved to help her mother settle comfortably onto the blanket, her touch gentle and attentive. Once Elizabeth was settled, Montgomery made her way to my side and sat down—close enough that I could feel the warmth of her presence, her shoulder almost brushing against mine. I swallowed, trying to keep my gaze forward, every muscle in my body tensing at her proximity. She reached forward, picking up a sandwich from the basket, and without a word, held it out to me.

I glanced at the sandwich for just a moment before shifting my attention to Elizabeth, determined to avoid Montgomery's eyes. Leaning back slightly, I rested my weight on one arm, forcing myself to focus on the person who mattered most today. "So," I began, offering Elizabeth a warm smile, "how was your week, Elizabeth?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Prof. Montgomery's expression falter, her brows knitting together in a brief moment of confusion. She withdrew the sandwich she'd offered, her fingers tightening around it before she finally took a bite for herself, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

Elizabeth's face lit up as she launched into a story about her week. I listened intently, nodding along as she spoke, trying my best to let her warmth fill the gaps of uncertainty left by her daughter.

Elizabeth's voice was vibrant as she described her conversations with the hospital staff, the little triumphs she had during the week, and how excited she was for the picnic. I smiled at her anecdotes, genuinely appreciating her positivity.

Prof. Montgomery sat beside me in stiff silence, her back straight, her expression betraying nothing.

"Valentina, dear, would you hand me that juice?" Elizabeth's gentle voice broke through the silence, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she gestured at the bottle near my elbow. I reached for it, offering her a small smile as I passed it over.

"Thank you," she said, her hands steady as she poured herself a glass. While she busied herself, I felt Prof. Montgomery shift beside me, her presence suddenly more imposing. She leaned in slightly, her voice low as she murmured, "Where were you yesterday? You never came by my office."

I shrugged without looking at her, keeping my gaze firmly on Elizabeth. "I didn't feel like going," I replied, my tone flat and uninterested.

Prof. Montgomery sighed, a sound of frustration that almost made me turn my head. "At least look at me when you're talking to me," she insisted, her voice carrying a hint of command.

I paused, then let out a small, dismissive hum. "How about..." I drew the words out, pretending to ponder, "No." My gaze remained fixed on Elizabeth, determined not to give in to her demand. I could feel her eyes lingering on me, studying my face, searching for something. When I didn't budge, she finally relented, leaning back and picking up the juice bottle herself.

I watched her pour a glass out of the corner of my eye, her movements deliberate, almost too controlled. Her expression had hardened again, her lips pressed into a thin line, the usual mask of composure back in place.

Part of me almost regretted the way I was acting—almost. But the memory of what I had seen in the parking lot with Vargas kept the wall firmly in place, my heart still stinging with uncertainty and confusion.

Elizabeth, unaware of the tension between her daughter and me, smiled brightly as she raised her glass. "To picnics in the sunshine," she said, her voice filled with warmth and light. I forced myself to smile, raising my glass to meet hers, feeling the heat of Montgomery's stare still on me.

"To picnics," I echoed softly, clinking my glass against Elizabeth's.

Elizabeth and I were engrossed in conversation when a sharp, annoyed whisper reached my ears. "What the fuck?" Prof. Montgomery muttered under her breath beside me. I glanced over just in time to see her lean closer to her mother, her voice tight with irritation. "Mother, why the hell did you invite Carol?" she asked, her gaze fixed in the direction of the garden entrance.

Curious, I turned my head and saw Prof. Vargas standing near one of the nurses, chatting with a bright smile on her face. My stomach twisted. What was she doing here? Elizabeth's brows knit together as she looked at her daughter. "She's your girlfriend, Johanna. Why wouldn't I invite her?" Elizabeth's voice was calm, but confusion laced her words.

Montgomery's eyes went wide, her face pale as she cast a brief, anxious glance in my direction before focusing back on her mother. "Because no one knows!" she hissed, her frustration evident. Her hand ran through her hair, tugging slightly at the ends. "I actually try to keep my personal life private," she added, nodding her head subtly towards me.

Elizabeth followed her daughter's gaze, her eyes meeting mine for a split second. Then she looked back at Montgomery, and a knowing expression seemed to dawn on her face, like a piece of the puzzle had just clicked into place. I swallowed, a strange tension settling in my chest as I realized what she must have figured out.

Before either of them could say anything else, Prof. Vargas made her way over to us, her presence radiating warmth. "Hey!" she greeted cheerfully, her smile broadening as she looked at each of us in turn. Her eyes landed on me, and she paused for a moment, clearly surprised. "Valentina? What're you doing here?" she asked, her brows raising slightly.

I forced a chuckle, trying to keep my voice light. "I'm friends with Elizabeth," I said, averting my gaze and glancing down at the blanket instead.

Prof. Vargas didn't seem to notice the underlying tension as she plopped down beside Montgomery with ease. "Hey, baby," she murmured, pressing a quick kiss to Montgomery's cheek, her tone affectionate and casual.

Montgomery gave her a weak smile, her eyes flicking briefly towards me before she leaned forward to grab a handful of Jelly Beans from the basket. "Hi," she replied, her voice sounding more distant than usual, as if she were trying to detach herself from the situation.

I watched them, my heart sinking a little further at the sight. The kiss had been so simple, so natural, and it only served to remind me that, no matter how much I might have hoped otherwise, I wasn't part of this picture.

Elizabeth cleared her throat softly, her eyes darting between her daughter, Vargas, and me. "Why don't we all have some snacks and enjoy the nice weather?" she suggested with forced cheer, clearly sensing the awkwardness but trying her best to keep things light.

"Yeah, sounds good," I replied, mustering a smile as I reached for a sandwich, my hand brushing lightly against Elizabeth's as I did. She patted my hand, her expression gentle and understanding, and it took everything in me to not let my emotions show.

Beside me, Prof. Montgomery kept her gaze down, her fingers fiddling with a loose thread on the edge of the blanket, while Vargas chatted animatedly, seemingly unaware of the turmoil in the air.

After finishing my sandwich, I chugged the rest of my drink and stood up, brushing off any crumbs. I gave Elizabeth a warm smile, trying to mask the unease bubbling beneath my surface. "Just need to use the restroom," I said softly, and she nodded, her smile still kind.

I turned and made my way back towards the hospital. Once inside, I found the restroom and went about my business. But when I opened the stall door, I stopped dead in my tracks. Prof. Montgomery was there, leaning against the sink, her arms crossed over her chest, her gaze sharp as it locked onto me.

Our eyes met for a split second before I quickly averted my gaze and made my way to the farthest sink, turning the faucet on and letting the water run over my hands.

"You saw us in the parking lot, didn't you?" she finally asked, her voice breaking the uneasy silence. I didn't look at her, just kept my eyes down, scrubbing my hands a bit longer than necessary, "How'd you know?"

"Well," she began, her voice low, almost hesitant, "You didn't seem shocked when my mother mentioned she was my girlfriend." She stepped closer, her footsteps echoing softly in the empty restroom, and I could feel her presence just behind me.

I finally looked up, locking eyes with her reflection in the mirror. Her gaze was intense, her eyes searching mine as if trying to piece together the thoughts swirling in my mind. I could see the tension in her expression, the hesitation in her stance. My jaw clenched as I reached for a paper towel, drying my hands with slow, deliberate movements.

"How long have you two been in a relationship?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I tried to keep my tone even, but the hint of bitterness slipped through, my emotions too raw to completely hide.

She cleared her throat awkwardly, her eyes dropping away from mine as if ashamed. "Three years," she muttered, almost as though she didn't want me to hear.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I felt the breath leave my lungs. Three years? My stomach churned, and a hollow, aching feeling settled in my chest. I turned to face her fully, no longer satisfied with seeing only her reflection. I needed to look her in the eyes.

"That's a long time," I said, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears.

Montgomery nodded, the corners of her lips tugging downwards, her expression almost regretful. "Yeah, it is," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper.

I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning back against the sink. The cool porcelain pressed against my lower back, grounding me in the reality of the moment. I studied her face, the way her eyes shifted, unable to fully meet mine, the way her posture held an edge of vulnerability she rarely showed. It made me both furious and sad.

"Can I ask why?" I said, my voice tight. "Why you played games with me?" The question felt heavy, like I was exposing a piece of myself I would have rather kept hidden. My words hung in the air, laden with the hurt and confusion I could no longer pretend didn't exist.

Montgomery's lips parted as if to say something, but she hesitated, closing her mouth, her eyes darting away again. She ran a hand through her hair, her frustration almost tangible. The silence stretched between us, and I could see the conflict in her eyes, the way her brow furrowed as though searching for an answer she couldn't find.

Finally, she spoke, her voice tight, almost resigned. "I don't know," she admitted, her tone filled with a vulnerability I wasn't used to seeing from her. "I'm not trying to hurt you, Valentina." She took a tentative step closer, her eyes finally meeting mine again, searching, almost pleading.

I gave her a small, tight-lipped smile, slowly uncrossing my arms as I kept my gaze fixed on her. The weight of the moment pressed heavily between us, and I could see the hesitation in her eyes, the regret she had been trying to suppress finally bubbling to the surface.

"You did hurt me a bit," I admitted quietly, taking a small step to the side, putting a little more distance between us. My voice carried a softness that seemed almost foreign to my ears.

Her eyes softened, the regret there unmistakable as she let out a breath, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I'm sorry," she whispered, the words so quiet that I almost doubted I had heard them.

"It's fine, Professor," I replied, my voice trembling despite my attempts to sound steady. I watched as her brows knitted together in confusion, a flicker of disbelief flashing across her face. "What?" she asked, the word laced with uncertainty.

"It's fine," I repeated, more firmly this time, even though my chest ached as I spoke the words. I forced a smile, the corners of my lips pulling up into something that didn't quite reach my eyes. "I'm still young and stupid. I should've known better than to think a professor actually likes me."

She blinked, her eyes widening slightly as if she hadn't expected such a blunt statement. "Wait, now hold on just a moment," she said, taking a small step forward. "You're just fine with this?" Her voice held a note of urgency, a hint of disbelief that made her words feel almost like a plea.

I nodded, the smile on my face growing wider, though it felt brittle, fragile, as if it might shatter at any moment. "My mom and aunt always taught me to forgive, no matter what," I said, keeping my tone light even as I felt the tears threaten to sting my eyes. "So yes, I am fine with this."

For a second, the air between us seemed to freeze, the silence stretching, her eyes searching my face as if trying to find a crack in the mask I had put up. Her lips parted, but no words came out, and I could see the frustration, the struggle to understand. She seemed at a loss, the confident, composed professor replaced by someone who suddenly didn't know what to say.

I took a deep breath, forcing my smile to remain steady, and extended my hand towards her. "Friends?" I asked, my voice laced with a mix of hope and vulnerability.

She raised an eyebrow, the corners of her lips twitching upward into a small chuckle. "Ms. Wilson, you never cease to amaze me," she replied, her voice soft, almost amused. Slowly, she reached out and clasped my hand in hers. "Friends."

The warmth of her hand enveloped mine, and my heart skipped a beat, thudding faster from the simple contact. I tried to keep my expression composed, only allowing a friendly smile to show, but I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks, betraying my nerves. I hoped it wasn't too noticeable.

"Let's go back before they think we died," she said with a smile, her voice breaking the moment. She turned, and I felt her hand come to rest gently against the small of my back as she guided me out of the restroom.

Her touch was light, but it sent a shiver through me that I tried to ignore, focusing instead on the hallway ahead.

The sunlight outside seemed blinding after the dim light of the restroom, and I squinted for a moment as we stepped out into the garden once more. Elizabeth looked up, her eyes brightening when she saw us return, and a smile spread across her face.

"There you two are!" she called, her voice full of warmth. I gave her a quick wave, taking a step away from Prof. Montgomery to put a little distance between us. I wasn't sure if I could handle the closeness any longer without my emotions betraying me.

"Everything okay?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes shifting between us.

"All good," I replied, forcing another smile as I walked over to her, taking a seat beside her on the blanket.

From the corner of my eye, I watched as Prof. Montgomery lowered herself onto the blanket, her expression carefully composed, almost unreadable. "Yeah," she said after a moment, "A nurse asked Ms. Wilson to clean up a spill, and I decided to help her."

Prof. Vargas arched an amused eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Wow, I thought cleaning up other people's messes was beneath you," she teased, her chuckle light as she placed her hand casually on Montgomery's knee.

Montgomery's eyes shifted to her girlfriend's hand, lingering there for a brief second before flicking over to me, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her gaze. She then moved her focus to the basket of snacks, her voice coming out with a touch of forced nonchalance. "It is," she muttered, clearing her throat as she leaned forward, plucking a few grapes from the basket.

Prof. Vargas turned her attention towards me, her eyes curious. "Valentina, how do you know Elizabeth?" she asked, stealing a grape right out of Montgomery's hand with a grin.

I couldn't help but smile at the light-heartedness of their interaction, though the knot in my chest hadn't fully loosened. "I volunteer here," I replied, my voice warmer as I glanced over at Elizabeth, who was watching us with a soft smile. "Elizabeth was the first person to ever be nice to me here, and we became friends pretty quickly."

Elizabeth beamed, her laughter filling the garden with a warmth that made me momentarily forget the tension. "And you've been stuck with me ever since!" she said playfully, patting my arm.

I chuckled in response, nodding. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Montgomery's eyes flicked between Elizabeth and me, her jaw tightening for just an instant, barely perceptible. Then she relaxed, popping a grape into her mouth as she leaned back on one hand, her gaze fixed somewhere in the distance.

Prof. Vargas seemed oblivious to the subtle shifts in mood, and she nudged Montgomery lightly, "You could learn a thing or two about making friends like that, you know." Her tone was teasing, but there was an underlying affection there, and she gave Montgomery's knee a gentle squeeze.

Montgomery's lips twitched upward, almost a smile, but there was something tired in her eyes. "Maybe," she replied, her tone soft, distant.

Prof. Vargas plucked another grape from Montgomery's hand and popped it into her mouth before rising to her feet. "Be back, I need to use the restroom," she announced, giving a quick wave before strolling away across the garden.

Montgomery watched her leave, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Then she stood, grabbing her handbag and moving in the opposite direction, her steps deliberate, her back rigid. My gaze followed her, confusion prickling at the edge of my thoughts. Where on earth is she going?

I tried to push the questions away, focusing instead on the little jellybeans in the open jar before me. I picked a handful and extended my hand toward Elizabeth, offering them with a hopeful smile. She simply shook her head with a gentle laugh.

"Suit yourself," I said with a shrug, tossing them all into my mouth. The sweetness flooded my senses, a temporary distraction from everything else.

Elizabeth turned her head slightly, her gaze lingering on me. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft, her brow furrowed with concern.

I gave her my best reassuring smile, even as I swallowed the last of the candy. "Always," I replied, my voice light.

She studied me for a moment, clearly not convinced by my response. But then she sighed and chose to let it go, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Alright," she said, "If you say so." She paused, glancing in the direction Montgomery had gone. "Could you go grab my daughter for me?"

"Sure," I said, pushing myself up from the blanket, brushing the stray blades of grass from my pants. I gave her a small nod before heading off in the direction I had seen Montgomery disappear.

I walked through the garden, eyes scanning the area until I finally spotted her leaning against an old oak tree. As I approached, I saw her lift a cigarette to her lips, the end glowing a dull orange as she inhaled. A small part of me wasn't surprised, but I still couldn't stop the curl of disgust that formed on my lips.

"You smoke?" I asked, my voice tinged with disdain.

She turned her head, her gaze meeting mine through a haze of smoke. "I do," she replied coolly, exhaling a cloud of it into the air. "Do you have a problem with that?"

I crossed my arms, shrugging. "Well, yes," I admitted, wrinkling my nose, "but it's your life. Do whatever you want with it."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, as though weighing my words. "So, you're saying you'd never be with someone who smokes?" she asked, her voice teasing, though there was a curious edge to it.

"Definitely," I nodded, firm in my conviction. "I can't ever date someone who smokes. It's... gross." I thought briefly of Lea. Sure, Lea smoked occasionally, but it wasn't the same. We were just friends, not thinking of a future together.

Montgomery tilted her head, studying me for a moment longer before she took one last drag, then stubbed the cigarette out against the rough bark of the tree. She flicked the butt into a nearby trash bin and pushed herself off the trunk, standing up straight.

"I'm guessing my mother asked you to come get me?" she said, her voice losing some of its earlier sharpness.

"Yeah," I replied, watching her closely. "She wants you back at the picnic."

Montgomery let out a sigh, brushing her hands down her jeans before she looked at me again, her expression softening for the briefest of moments. "Alright, let's go."

Back at the picnic, Montgomery and I plopped down side by side, the blanket beneath us wrinkling slightly. She immediately reclined, stretching out on her back, her arms draped over her face to block out the late afternoon sun. As she moved, her shirt lifted slightly, revealing a sliver of her toned stomach.

I tried not to look, but my gaze flickered over her form for a split second. The hint of a V-line was visible, carved and defined, suggesting she worked out often. I swallowed and looked away, feeling an odd heat rise to my cheeks.

"Damn!" a voice called out from behind us, breaking the quiet moment. I turned to see Prof. Vargas approaching, finally sitting down beside Elizabeth with an exasperated huff. "This hospital is like a maze," she muttered, shaking her head in amusement.

Elizabeth chuckled, her eyes crinkling with warmth. "It is!" she agreed. "I've been here for so long and still get lost sometimes."

With that, the four of us settled into easy conversation, the hours passing by as the sun slowly made its descent on the horizon. We laughed, ate, and shared stories until the sky turned a warm orange, the day slipping away into twilight. Despite my earlier unease, I found myself genuinely enjoying their company.

Eventually, a nurse approached, coming to escort Elizabeth back to her room. The sky had grown darker, and a cool breeze started to sweep through the garden. Montgomery got to her feet and moved to help her mother, gently guiding her back into the wheelchair.

Elizabeth gave us both a warm smile. "Thank you for today, my dear," she said, her eyes holding mine for a moment before shifting to her daughter. "It was wonderful."

Montgomery bent down and gave her mother a quick hug before standing back. "We'll clean up here," she assured her, her voice soft, and Elizabeth nodded in gratitude.

I watched as Elizabeth was wheeled away, her figure growing smaller until she disappeared through the entrance, leaving just me, Montgomery, and Prof. Vargas behind in the quiet garden. The air felt different now, the warm light of the setting sun casting long shadows across the grass. The distant hum of hospital activity was a reminder of the world beyond our small, intimate gathering.

The three of us began cleaning up, picking up wrappers and stacking plates, the rustle of the blanket and crinkling of trash bags punctuating the soft murmurs of the evening. Montgomery moved with a quiet efficiency, her gaze occasionally drifting my way, her demeanor almost relaxed in the waning light. Prof. Vargas, on the other hand, still held onto her lighthearted cheer as she worked, her presence seemingly a bit more buoyant compared to Montgomery's measured calmness.

Once we'd gathered most of the trash, Montgomery handed me an unopened box of chocolates. "Here," she said with a small smile. "For coming and making my mother happy." Her voice was gentle, and I could see a genuine gratitude in her eyes. I took the box from her and tucked it under my arm, feeling a sense of warmth at the gesture.

After folding the blanket and tucking the leftovers back into the basket, Montgomery handed the folded blanket to Prof. Vargas, who turned to me with a bright smile. "Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Valentina," she said warmly before turning to leave, the setting sun catching her profile.

Montgomery turned her gaze to me, her expression softer than usual. "Ms. Wilson," she nodded her head, her voice smooth. "I'll see you on Monday?"

"Naturally," I responded, giving her a smile and a thumbs up. She returned the smile, a subtle warmth in her eyes that was different from her usual guarded look. "Looking forward to it," she said, giving me one last glance, her gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before she turned and followed Prof. Vargas into the hospital.

Once they were gone, I looked down at the box of chocolates still tucked under my arm, a smile tugging at my lips. I couldn't help but feel grateful for today—despite the initial reluctance, it had turned out better than I'd expected. My aunt was right; I would have missed out if I hadn't come. And now, with the awkwardness slowly fading, I found myself curious to see how this new friendship with Montgomery might unfold.

Maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't be quite so rude to me anymore.