Veronica understood the unspoken rule about his private study - it was forbidden territory. She remained in their bedroom instead, a novel resting in her lap while her eyes drifted to the door every few minutes.
The clock struck nearly one in the morning when Cullen finally stepped through the doorway.
She looked up from her book as he entered. Cullen caught her gaze and asked with cool detachment, "Is there something you need?"
Veronica decided against pleasantries. "There's a charity auction happening at Fireside in two days..."
Cullen's fingers worked methodically at his silk tie, loosening the knot with practiced ease. His eyes flicked toward her briefly. "You're looking for an invitation?"
The directness of his response caught her off guard. "Yes."
"Consider it done." He turned away without another word, disappearing into the walk-in closet.
Minutes later, the sound of running water echoed from the bathroom as he stepped into the shower.
His immediate agreement left Veronica feeling oddly unsettled. She had braced herself for questions, perhaps even refusal. But Cullen had simply nodded and moved on, as if her request meant nothing at all.
The late hour weighed on her eyelids. She placed the book on the nightstand and slipped beneath the covers. Sleep claimed her before Cullen emerged from the bathroom, steam still clinging to his skin.
The following evening, Veronica returned to the Dennis estate after wrapping up her work at DataPulse. The house felt unusually quiet - Cullen was nowhere to be found.
Sabrina, however, bounded toward her the moment she walked through the door, wrapping small arms around her waist with desperate enthusiasm.
"Veronica! You have to make those chocolate chip cookies again. Please? The ones from last week were amazing!"
Veronica couldn't help but smile at the boy's infectious energy. "Alright, but only if you help me in the kitchen."
They spent the evening baking together, flour dusting their clothes and laughter filling the normally sterile kitchen. Sabrina chattered endlessly about school, his friends, and a new video game he desperately wanted.
After dinner, Carlos approached with quiet steps, holding an elegant envelope. "Mrs. Dennis, this was delivered for you earlier."
Veronica accepted the envelope, her fingers tracing the embossed lettering. Inside, she found not one but two invitations to tomorrow's Fireside Charity Auction. The cardstock was thick and expensive, the gold foil catching the light.
Cullen had kept his word. Two invitations suggested he planned to attend with her, yet his absence tonight spoke differently. Why send the invitations through Carlos instead of handing them to her directly?
As she prepared for bed, her phone buzzed twice in quick succession. Whitney's name appeared on the screen.
Veronica opened the messages and felt her breath catch. A screenshot filled her phone - Niall's radiant face turned toward cascading fireworks, her smile luminous with joy. Behind her, Cullen's silhouette was unmistakable, his broad shoulders and familiar stance captured in the romantic glow.
The caption beneath read simply: "Tonight's fireworks festival is magical."
Other couples dotted the background, making it clear this was one of the city's popular romantic destinations. But Niall's expression revealed everything - the fireworks were merely backdrop to her happiness. Cullen's presence was what made the night truly magical for her.
So this explained his absence. While Veronica waited at home, Cullen had been creating memories with Niall under a sky full of stars and sparks. And notably, Sabrina hadn't been invited along for this particular outing.
Veronica studied the image, surprised by her own lack of emotional response. Curiosity, perhaps, but not the sharp pain she might have expected. She typed back to Whitney.
"Since when are you friends with Niall?"
"I'm not. A friend of mine knows her and mentioned the post. I asked for a screenshot." Whitney's response came quickly, though she didn't mention how her friend had spent twenty minutes gushing about Niall's incredible luck.
Everyone in their social circle was talking about it now - how Niall had somehow captured Cullen Dennis's attention. More than that, he seemed genuinely devoted to her, treating her with a tenderness that had become the subject of envious whispers at every gathering.
Veronica glanced at the second invitation lying on her dresser. An idea formed.
"Want to come to a charity auction with me tomorrow? I have an extra invitation."
Whitney's response was immediate and enthusiastic: "Absolutely! I wouldn't miss an event like that for anything!"
The house remained quiet as the night deepened. Cullen's side of the bed stayed empty, sheets undisturbed. Veronica had anticipated this - after an evening of fireworks and romance, he and Niall likely had other plans that would keep him occupied until morning.
Strangely, having the master bedroom to herself felt liberating rather than lonely. She spread out diagonally across the king-sized mattress, claiming space that was rarely hers alone. The silence was peaceful, broken only by the distant hum of the house's heating system and the occasional car passing on the street below.
Tomorrow would bring the auction, questions, and probably more glimpses into Cullen's carefully compartmentalized life. But tonight, she would simply enjoy the rare solitude and the soft luxury of sleeping undisturbed.