She had intended to keep her annoyance to herself, yet found herself speaking her mind anyway.

Lyndon was momentarily speechless, realizing his mother was chastising him in a roundabout way.

He'd gone out of his way to be kind to Rita earlier, doing it on purpose to get under Tilda's skin and watch her response.

However, Tilda's apparent lack of concern only deepened his irritation.

After remaining silent throughout the exchange, Tilda finally rose. "Brea, Sheldon has school in the morning. We should be heading home."

Brea's expression soured. "Leaving so soon? Why not join us for dinner?"

"I'd prefer not to. We might miss our flight if we stay any longer."

"If that's the case, you could always use the private jet." "There's no need for that. It seems like too much trouble."

Sheldon observed the interaction quietly, then looked at Lyndon, noticing his gloomy demeanor. He furrowed his brow, wondering if his parents' argument had something to do with Rita.

He rushed to the bedside, eyes going wide. "Dad, can you still recall what I told you before?"

Lyndon, preoccupied with thoughts of Tilda's aloofness, had a stern look on his face.

Yet, at the sound of his son's voice, he tried to shift his focus. "What was it?"

"Don't hurt Mom," Sheldon said with his gentle voice.

Caught off guard, Lyndon retorted, "When have I ever hurt her? It's she who's hurting me!"

Sheldon, puzzled, turned to Tilda. "Mom, did you hurt Dad?" Taken aback, Tilda locked eyes with Lyndon's intense stare.

Was he suggesting she was causing him pain... by withholding the truth? Yet, hadn't he been the first to inflict pain?

"No, I didn't," she answered.

Lyndon's look was heavy with disappointment and frustration. Her denial seemed to intensify his inner turmoil. "It seems you've forgotten," he murmured.

Tilda averted her eyes, choosing silence over further discussion.

Sheldon's face was a picture of confusion, his small brows furrowing deeply.

He sighed. "Dad, you're a man. Men are supposed to smooth things over with women. Even if Mom upset you, can't you be a bit more forgiving? Why not just let it go?"

Lyndon was momentarily speechless.

Was this really his son talking? Should he reveal what Tilda had done? If he did, would Sheldon still blindly stand by that self-centered woman?

Brea, amused by Sheldon's words, stifled a laugh. "Sheldon's got a point, Lyndon. You're a man—act like it. Look at your father. Have you ever seen him bicker with me all these years? I'm the one who raises my voice."