"Okay!" Sabrina's delighted voice echoed through the hallway as she bounded up the stairs, her feet barely touching each step.
Veronica had just closed her laptop and organized her papers when she emerged from the master bedroom. Without warning, Sabrina launched herself forward, wrapping her small arms around Veronica's waist in an enthusiastic embrace. "Mom!"
Veronica's hand found the crown of Sabrina's head, giving it a gentle pat, but her arms remained at her sides.
Sabrina was too caught up in her excitement to notice the distance, babbling about her adventures. The sound of measured footsteps approaching made Veronica raise her eyes, and they immediately met Cullen's steady gaze.
His expression revealed nothing, while she maintained her composure with practiced ease.
Veronica looked down at the animated child clinging to her. "Go find Chelsea to help you with your bath. I need to speak with your father."
The words made Cullen halt mid-step.
Sabrina had spent two wonderful days away from home and was practically glowing with happiness. Despite her obvious reluctance to leave, she didn't protest and skipped toward her bedroom to find Chelsea.
Veronica's attention shifted to Cullen, who had positioned himself against the wall, his focus apparently absorbed by his phone. "Can we speak privately in the bedroom?"
Veronica entered the room first, with Cullen following at a leisurely pace. Once he crossed the threshold, she made her request. "Please close the door."
She had no desire for their discussion to reach Sabrina's ears, particularly if tensions escalated.
The realization struck her that they had never truly argued, not once during their years of marriage.
Cullen had never invested enough emotion in their relationship to warrant a fight.
As for herself, every second in his presence felt like borrowed time, too valuable to squander on conflict.
Cullen pushed the door shut and faced her. "What's on your mind?"
Veronica dispensed with pleasantries. "Victor, who happens to be Niall's uncle, has purchased the villa directly across from my uncle Phillip's property. The renovations have been ongoing for some time, and I anticipate they'll be taking residence there shortly."
Niall's mother carried the Mack surname through birth, Dora.
The complicated web connecting the Murray, Crystal, and Mack families extended far beyond Dora and Rose's generation.
The roots of their entanglement reached back to their grandmothers' era.
During that time, Elsie, Niall's grandmother, and Mary, Veronica's grandmother, had maintained a close friendship.
Elsie's marriage had brought her nothing but financial struggle and social decline. Mary had repeatedly extended financial assistance to her friend. Years later, the pattern repeated when Dora and Rose formed their own tight bond.
The Crystal and Murray families stood on equal social footing.
Isaac and Rose had found love naturally, and their early relationship had been filled with genuine affection. Everything shifted when Dora completed her university education and returned home.
In a calculated move to improve Dora's social standing, Elsie had brutally cut all connections with Mary.
Throughout the years that followed, whenever members of the Mack family encountered Phillip or Mary, their demeanor was marked by arrogance and superiority, a stark contrast to the desperate gratitude they had once displayed when seeking help.
Veronica saw no need to elaborate further—Cullen was fully aware of these family dynamics.
Surely, with this context established, he would understand her position and…
Cullen's comprehension was immediate. He also recognized exactly what Veronica was requesting from him.
He retrieved a cigarette from his pocket, hesitating before bringing it to his lips. "Do you object to smoking?"
Veronica indicated her consent with a subtle shake of her head.
As he ignited the cigarette and drew in the first breath, he posed his question. "You're asking me to force their relocation?"
Cullen released a measured stream of smoke and remained silent for several moments.
This situation held profound significance for Veronica. While she could overlook countless other matters, this particular issue was non-negotiable.
Her fingers curled into tight fists at her sides, and a hint of moisture gathered in her eyes as she fixed her gaze on him. "I'm asking you as a favor. If you'll agree to this, I'm prepared to do anything you ask in return—"
He interrupted before she could complete her offer. "Agreed."
Veronica stood motionless, caught completely off guard. His immediate acceptance was the last thing she had anticipated.
The silence stretched between them as she processed his response. She had prepared herself for negotiation, for resistance, perhaps even for rejection. Instead, he had given her exactly what she needed with no hesitation whatsoever.
Her breath caught in her throat as she studied his face, searching for some indication of his true thoughts. The cigarette smoke created a thin veil between them, but his eyes remained clear and direct.
Cullen took another drag from his cigarette, seemingly unbothered by her surprise. His casual demeanor suggested this decision required no internal debate, no weighing of consequences.
"You seem shocked," he observed, his tone neutral.
Veronica found her voice, though it emerged quieter than usual. "I expected more resistance."
"Why would I resist?" Cullen's question was straightforward, devoid of any particular emotion. "It's a reasonable request."
She wanted to ask what he expected in return, what price she would ultimately pay for this favor. But the words wouldn't form. Part of her feared the answer, while another part was simply grateful that the immediate problem would be resolved.
Cullen moved toward the window, cigarette still in hand. "I'll handle it tomorrow."
The finality in his statement left no room for doubt. When Cullen decided to act, obstacles had a way of disappearing.
Veronica felt a complex mixture of relief and apprehension wash over her. She had gotten what she came for, but the ease of his agreement left her wondering about his motivations.
"Thank you," she said simply, because gratitude was the only appropriate response, regardless of any underlying complications.
Cullen nodded once, his attention shifting to the view outside their window. The conversation, it seemed, had reached its natural conclusion.