Sabrina made a simple request that evening, asking Veronica to drive her to school the following morning. Without hesitation, Veronica agreed to the arrangement.
Nearly ten days had passed since their last meaningful time together at the hot spring retreat. The distance between them felt more pronounced now, creating an invisible tension that neither addressed directly.
That evening, Veronica decided to remain at the villa rather than return to her own space. However, she deliberately avoided the master bedroom she typically shared with Cullen. Instead, something drew her toward Sabrina's room, seeking the comfort of familiar companionship.
The previous occasion Veronica had spent the night in Sabrina's room was during an illness, when care and concern had naturally brought them together. Tonight felt different. Sabrina appeared perfectly healthy, showing no signs of needing assistance or comfort. She hadn't extended any invitation for Veronica to stay.
When Sabrina heard water running in her private bathroom, she realized Veronica intended to spend the night there. The choice puzzled her slightly. Why would Veronica abandon the spacious master suite she shared with Cullen for this smaller, more intimate space?
Despite her curiosity, Sabrina found herself genuinely pleased by the arrangement. There was something undeniably comforting about sharing sleeping space with Veronica, the warmth of another presence creating a sense of security she rarely experienced elsewhere.
Rather than voice her questions, Sabrina simply accepted the situation.
However, Veronica's presence did complicate Sabrina's evening routine. Her nightly conversations with Niall required careful discretion now. The last thing she needed was for Veronica to discover these private communications, which would inevitably lead to uncomfortable explanations and potential complications.
By eleven that evening, Veronica had settled into bed beside Sabrina. Cullen remained absent from the villa, his whereabouts unknown and apparently unconsidered.
Morning brought the realization that Cullen had spent the entire night elsewhere. Veronica's mind automatically returned to her last glimpse of him the previous day, stepping into the elevator alongside Niall, their destination unclear but their togetherness evident.
The logical conclusion seemed obvious. Cullen had likely spent those hours with Niall, choosing her company over returning home to his wife.
After fulfilling her promise to drive Sabrina to school, Veronica made her way to DataPulse Co., attempting to focus on professional responsibilities rather than personal disappointments.
The pattern of Sabrina's affection had become increasingly clear to Veronica. The girl's heart remained firmly attached to Niall, with Veronica serving as a convenient substitute during moments of boredom or loneliness. When Sabrina felt abandoned by others or craved attention, she would remember Veronica's existence and reach out accordingly.
Otherwise, Veronica's presence seemed largely unnecessary to Sabrina's daily happiness.
This reality had become particularly evident in recent days. Once Sabrina learned of Veronica's complete recovery from her injuries, the daily phone calls ceased. The concerned inquiries about Veronica's whereabouts and well-being simply stopped, as though Veronica's importance had diminished along with her vulnerability.
Cullen's indifference toward her location and activities remained consistently absolute. His lack of interest never wavered, regardless of circumstances.
Friday brought unexpected news at DataPulse Co. The company had successfully closed two significant contracts, resulting in substantial payments that boosted both morale and financial stability. Management decided to celebrate these achievements with an elaborate team-building retreat.
The destination selection was left to employee voting, and the unanimous choice emerged as a hot springs resort experience.
When Veronica received the announcement, surprise flickered across her features before settling into a bitter smile that didn't escape notice.
Dario observed her expression with concern. "Something wrong with the hot springs plan? You don't seem enthusiastic about the trip."
"It's not exactly that," Veronica replied carefully.
Her thoughts involuntarily returned to the hot spring retreat two weeks earlier, where Cullen and Sabrina had abandoned her without explanation or consideration. The memory felt simultaneously fresh and distant, as though it had occurred both yesterday and months ago. Time possessed a strange quality of stretching and compressing depending on the emotional weight of experiences.
Despite her reluctance to revisit hot spring environments, Veronica recognized the importance of participating in this company event. As someone recently returned to the organization, her absence would be noticed and potentially misinterpreted.
The destination differed significantly from her previous hot spring experience. Rather than the intimate, private facility owned by the Dennis family, this venue was a sprawling commercial resort featuring numerous amenities and attractions designed for larger groups.
After changing into the provided bathrobe, Veronica made her way toward the main hot spring pools. The facility's size meant her colleagues were scattered throughout various areas, leaving her initially alone in the particular pool she chose.
She had barely settled into the warm water when movement caught her attention. A small girl, approximately Sabrina's age, was crouched beside the pool's edge, extending her hand curiously toward the water's surface.
The pool's depth measured roughly four feet, while the child appeared to be slightly shorter than that measurement. Concern immediately filled Veronica as she recognized the potential danger.
Before she could fully react, the inevitable occurred. The child lost her balance and tumbled directly into the water with a substantial splash.
Without hesitation, Veronica moved swiftly through the water, reaching the struggling child within seconds. She lifted the girl into her arms, pulling her safely above the surface.
The frightened child immediately wrapped her small arms around Veronica's neck, crying and coughing simultaneously as her face flushed red from the water she had inhaled. Veronica gently patted the girl's back while murmuring soothing words, attempting to calm her distress while gathering information about her family's location.
Carrying the child, Veronica made her way toward the resort's main entrance, intending to locate staff members who could help reunite the girl with her guardians.
As they approached the gate area, a familiar figure appeared in the distance. Before Veronica could fully process the recognition, the child in her arms began crying with renewed intensity, stretching her small hands desperately toward the approaching figure.
"Uncle Marco," the little girl called out through her tears, her voice carrying both relief and desperate need for comfort.