The hotel staff member navigating toward the elevator encountered Cullen and his companions in the corridor. Nate gestured toward the elaborate meal service and inquired, "Who arranged this spread?"
Without hesitation, the staff member replied, "Mrs. Dennis ordered everything."
He was clearly referring to Veronica.
Cullen and his group allowed the worker to continue with his duties without creating any complications. Once the man departed, Nate let out a soft laugh. "Well, it appears we don't need to worry about Veronica's lunch arrangements."
Cullen's response came with practiced indifference. "We should extend an invitation for her to join us."
The words hit Niall like a physical blow. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she studied his expression, while Marco and Nate exchanged startled glances.
Nate recovered first, forcing a chuckle. "You make an excellent point. Mrs. Dennis Senior gave you explicit instructions to ensure Veronica's comfort. She would be absolutely furious if she discovered we deliberately left Veronica out of our meal."
The hot spring resort operated under Dennis family ownership, which meant Cook undoubtedly had her trusted employees positioned throughout the property, observing and reporting every detail. Nothing Cullen and his friends did would escape her notice.
Relief flooded through Niall as Nate provided this rational explanation. For a terrifying moment, she had convinced herself that Cullen might actually be developing genuine feelings for Veronica after all of Cook's manipulative efforts. Nate' reasoning proved she had been allowing her imagination to spiral unnecessarily.
Marco also relaxed visibly once the motivation became clear.
Sabrina's footsteps announced her return. Cullen's hand found her hair, ruffling it gently as he spoke. "Head upstairs and ask your mother to join us for lunch."
The request clearly caught Sabrina off guard. Her eyebrows drew together in confusion. "Mom is supposed to eat with everyone?"
Sabrina's mouth fell open slightly. Her gaze immediately shifted to Niall, concern flickering across her young features. The prospect of her mother joining their group filled her with dread. Veronica would undoubtedly find ways to target Niall, creating tension and ruining everyone's enjoyment.
Niall managed a gentle smile despite her own apprehension. "Go on, sweetheart."
Sabrina lingered for several seconds, internal conflict written across her face, before reluctantly heading toward the stairs.
When the doorbell chimed, Veronica was already halfway through her solitary meal. She glanced at the security monitor's display and quickly set her food aside upon recognizing Sabrina. Rising from her seat, she moved to answer the door. "What do you need, sweetheart?"
Sabrina's teeth worried her lower lip before she lifted her eyes to meet Veronica's gaze. "Hi, Mom. Dad asked me to come get you. He wants you to come downstairs and have lunch with everyone."
Veronica's rejection came swiftly. "I've already started eating up here. You all go ahead and enjoy your meal without me."
The visible relief that washed over Sabrina's features was unmistakable. "Okay. That's what I'll tell Dad then, alright?"
Veronica read her daughter's reluctance with painful clarity. The child's expression revealed everything about her true feelings regarding the invitation. "Of course. Have a good lunch."
Sabrina's face brightened considerably. "Thanks!"
She pivoted to leave, but guilt seemed to catch up with her after only a few steps. "Are you absolutely sure you'll be okay up here by yourself, Mom? Maybe I could stay and eat with you instead?"
The downstairs group promised laughter, conversation, and genuine warmth. Leaving Veronica alone in her room seemed cruel by comparison.
Yet Sabrina's tone carried an unmistakable note of reluctance. Her preference for joining Cullen, Niall, and the others remained obvious despite her halfhearted offer.
Veronica refused to accept such begrudging companionship. She crouched down to Sabrina's eye level, forcing warmth into her voice. "Don't worry about me, darling. I actually prefer the quiet. Go have fun with everyone else."
Sabrina's relief was immediate and complete. She nodded eagerly. "Okay then. I'm going now."
"Go ahead." Veronica watched as Sabrina practically sprinted away from her door.
Standing in the doorway, Veronica observed her daughter's retreating form until she disappeared around the corner. Only then did she close the door and return to her interrupted meal, the silence of the empty room settling around her like a familiar weight.
The food had grown cold during the interruption, but Veronica continued eating mechanically. Through the large windows, she could see other guests enjoying the resort's amenities together, their laughter and conversation carrying faintly through the glass. The contrast between their obvious joy and her isolation wasn't lost on her.
She had made the right choice, she told herself. Forcing her presence on a group that clearly didn't want her there would have created nothing but awkwardness and resentment. Better to maintain her dignity and eat alone than to subject herself to barely concealed hostility and uncomfortable silences.
Still, the knowledge that her own daughter preferred anyone's company to hers created a hollow ache in her chest that no amount of rationalization could ease.