Veronica felt her throat constrict, a sharp ache spreading through her chest. The air inside the car seemed to thicken around her, making it difficult to breathe properly.
She pulled her gaze away from the window and reached toward the button to lower it, craving fresh air. Her fingers hovered over the control for a long moment before she stopped herself. Instead, she turned to stare out at the passing scenery, her reflection ghostlike in the glass.
The drive continued in silence until they reached Sabrina's school. Veronica climbed out to escort her daughter to the entrance while Cullen stayed behind in the driver's seat.
Sabrina glanced back at the car. "Is Dad coming?"
Veronica's chest tightened. "He has work to handle."
The little girl's face fell slightly. "Okay."
Veronica knew exactly how different things were when Niall accompanied them on school runs. Cullen would emerge from the vehicle, walk Sabrina all the way to her classroom, and speak with her teacher before departing. He was the picture of an attentive father.
Now, with Veronica present, he couldn't be bothered to leave his seat. Whether he was genuinely occupied with business or simply refusing to be seen publicly with her remained unclear.
The distinction stung more than she cared to admit.
She decided not to push the issue. Looking back toward the car, she called out, "You should head to your office. I can catch a taxi from here."
Cullen's head turned, his eyes meeting hers through the open door. "No need. Your company is on my route anyway."
Veronica wanted to decline the offer, but something in his tone made her reconsider. If he was willing to drive her despite everything, perhaps she shouldn't read too much into his motivations.
She said nothing more, waiting until Sabrina disappeared safely into the school building with her teacher before returning to the vehicle.
The remainder of their journey passed without conversation. They were roughly ten minutes from DataPulse Co. when Veronica's phone buzzed with documents from Dario. She opened the files and became absorbed in reviewing them, losing track of their location entirely.
She didn't realize they had arrived until Cullen's voice cut through her concentration. "We're here."
His Murphy commanded attention wherever it went, and parked in front of the office building, it drew curious stares from passersby and employees. Veronica noticed the looks immediately.
Given that she and Cullen would have minimal interaction going forward, the last thing she needed was to fuel office gossip or speculation.
She quickly gathered her purse and turned to him. "Thank you for the ride."
His gaze lingered on her briefly. "Sure." He addressed the driver without looking away. "Let's go."
Veronica stepped out and headed into the building as his car pulled away from the curb.
By noon, Dario had scheduled a business lunch with several potential partners, and Veronica joined him for the meeting. As their car entered the restaurant's parking area, she spotted a familiar figure.
Cullen had just exited his vehicle, and within moments, Niall emerged from the passenger side. They moved together with the easy familiarity of an established couple.
Dario noticed them as well and rubbed his temples. "Perfect timing."
"Indeed," Veronica replied quietly.
She observed Isaac, Rose, and several others gathered near the restaurant entrance. They had clearly been waiting for Cullen and Niall's arrival, and now they approached the couple with obvious enthusiasm.
"Should we wait in the car until they leave?" Dario asked, glancing at Veronica for guidance.
"No." Her voice was steady. "We have nothing to hide."
When Veronica and Dario stepped out of their vehicle, they were directly in Cullen and Niall's line of sight. The recognition was immediate and mutual.
Cullen's expression remained neutral, almost bored. He glanced at Veronica and Dario with mild interest before redirecting his attention elsewhere. Niall's reaction was far more pronounced. Her eyes turned glacial the moment they landed on Veronica.
Veronica suspected Niall's hostility stemmed from her recent conversation with Cullen regarding Niall's uncle and his proximity to Phillip's residence. She had asked Cullen to intervene in that situation, and apparently, he had followed through on her request.
The fact that Veronica had approached Cullen for assistance clearly rankled Niall. She obviously preferred to minimize any contact between her boyfriend and his ex-wife, regardless of the circumstances.
Niall's displeasure was written across her features as she continued to stare in Veronica's direction.
Isaac noticed his daughter's sudden shift in mood and followed her gaze until it led him to Veronica. His expression darkened immediately, his jaw tightening with visible irritation.
This was Rose's first time witnessing such a charged encounter between the various parties. She studied the dynamics with keen interest, noting how protective and devoted Cullen appeared toward Niall. The observation filled her with satisfaction as she regarded Veronica with barely concealed smugness.
The moment stretched uncomfortably as both groups stood in the parking lot, the tension palpable despite the distance between them. Veronica could feel the weight of their collective scrutiny, but she refused to show any sign of discomfort or retreat.
She had every right to be there, conducting legitimate business with Dario. If Cullen and his companions found her presence inconvenient, that was their problem to solve, not hers.
The silent standoff continued for several more seconds before Cullen finally placed his hand on the small of Niall's back, guiding her toward the restaurant entrance. The gesture was possessive and deliberate, clearly intended to be observed.
Isaac and Rose fell into step behind them, though Rose couldn't resist casting one final triumphant look over her shoulder at Veronica.
Dario waited until the group had disappeared into the building before speaking. "Well, that was sufficiently awkward."
"It was bound to happen eventually," Veronica replied with forced calm. "We can't avoid each other forever in a city this size."
"Are you ready to go in, or do you need a moment?"
Veronica straightened her shoulders and checked her appearance in the car's side mirror. "I'm fine. Our partners are waiting."
As they walked toward the restaurant, she couldn't shake the image of Cullen's hand on Niall's back, or the way Niall had looked at her with such open animosity. The encounter served as a stark reminder of how completely her life had changed, and how thoroughly she had been replaced in every aspect of Cullen's world.
But she had her own path now, her own priorities and goals. Whatever Cullen chose to do with his personal life was no longer her concern. She had Sabrina to think about, her career to focus on, and her own future to build.
The parking lot confrontation was just another hurdle to overcome, nothing more.