Cullen's absence stretched on, leaving Cook seething with frustration and Sabrina visibly agitated. The hot spring retreat, meant to be a peaceful family gathering, had turned into an uncomfortable waiting game.
Veronica maintained her composure as if Cullen's no-show was merely a minor inconvenience. She prepared tea for Cook with steady hands, her voice soft and reassuring. "Perhaps an emergency arose that demanded his immediate attention."
Cook's irritation reached its peak as evening approached, and she retired to her room earlier than usual. Sabrina frantically dialed Cullen's number multiple times throughout the night, each call going straight to voicemail. The silence from his end only deepened the tension that had settled over their weekend getaway.
When dawn broke, Veronica stirred to find empty space beside her in the bed. Sabrina had vanished without a trace during the night hours.
After completing her morning routine, Veronica searched the retreat grounds methodically. The staff informed her that Sabrina had grown restless waiting for Cullen and had arranged transportation down the mountain at first light, claiming she needed entertainment elsewhere.
Cook had also departed unexpectedly. The mountain air had triggered a severe cold, leaving her with throbbing headaches throughout the night. She had returned to Dennis Estate before sunrise, choosing not to wake Veronica from her rest.
The sprawling hot spring retreat now housed only Veronica and the attending staff members.
Sabrina could have easily waited for Veronica to wake before requesting an escort into town. Her secretive departure suggested deeper motivations than simple boredom. Veronica suspected Sabrina had received word about Cullen's whereabouts and had rushed to join him and Niall somewhere in the city.
The younger woman had likely slipped away early to avoid Veronica's potential interference with her plans.
Gray clouds dominated the sky, releasing steady rainfall across the mountain landscape. However, the covered hot spring areas remained pleasant for relaxation. Veronica found appeal in the prospect of solitary time, where she could immerse herself in reading while surrounded by warm, therapeutic waters.
The unexpected solitude didn't disturb her peace. Instead, she embraced the opportunity to focus entirely on her personal interests without external distractions.
Sunday afternoon arrived with Veronica planning to enjoy dinner before departing for home. Cook's call interrupted her quiet contemplation.
"Ver, I contacted Cullen this morning and requested he collect you from the retreat tonight. Has he reached out to you yet?"
The truth was simple: he hadn't made contact. Cullen had made promises about coming but had failed to appear or even attempt communication. Sabrina remained equally silent since her mysterious departure the previous day.
Veronica had no desire to burden Cook with these disappointing details. The conversation would only lead to complicated explanations and unnecessary worry. "Yes, he has," she responded simply.
Cook's relief was audible through the phone. "Wonderful news."
After inquiring about Cook's recovery from her cold, Veronica ended their conversation.
Evening descended as Veronica finished dinner at the retreat restaurant. Cook had assured her that Cullen would provide transportation home. Nine o'clock approached with no sign of his arrival.
The distance between the hot spring retreat and her residence exceeded ninety minutes of travel time. Waiting indefinitely served no practical purpose.
Veronica approached the staff and arranged for a driver to transport her back to the city.
The comfortable car interior and gentle motion quickly induced drowsiness. She dozed peacefully until her phone's sharp ringing startled her awake. Whitney's name appeared on the screen.
"Whitney?" Veronica answered groggily.
"That absolute witch!" Whitney's voice crackled with fury.
Veronica blinked herself fully awake. "Excuse me?"
"Not you, darling. I'm referring to someone who deserves every curse word imaginable."
"I attended a charity gala tonight, and you'll never believe who appeared there together—your worthless father and that manipulative Niall!" Whitney's anger practically vibrated through the phone.
"Some wealthy socialite recognized Niall as the woman who destroyed her engagement and confronted her publicly. She threw an entire glass of red wine directly in Niall's face. The drama was absolutely magnificent."
Veronica felt her stomach tighten with apprehension.
"This socialite comes from serious money and influence, so she wasn't backing down from the confrontation. The scene escalated into a full spectacle, and I was thoroughly enjoying watching Niall squirm. But then—your husband made his grand entrance!"
Ice formed in Veronica's veins.
Whitney's voice turned savage. "This wasn't some private gathering, Veronica. This was a major charity gala featuring A-list celebrities, and the entire event was broadcasting live to thousands of viewers!"
"Niall and the others might not be famous, but the moment Cullen stepped forward to defend her and personally escorted her away from the confrontation, every camera in the venue captured the entire scene!"
Whitney immediately sent the livestream footage to Veronica's phone. With trembling fingers, Veronica opened the video file.
The gala's atmosphere buzzed with energy from celebrity performances and crowd reactions. The recording equipment positioned at a distance made individual conversations difficult to distinguish clearly.
However, the visual evidence was unmistakable. The footage captured every moment of the socialite's approach toward Niall, their heated exchange, and the dramatic wine-throwing climax that left Niall dripping and humiliated.
But what followed made Veronica's heart sink into her stomach. Cullen appeared in the frame, moving swiftly to Niall's side with protective urgency written across his features.