Sabrina gave a quick nod. "That sounds fine." As long as she wouldn't be wandering around by herself, she could handle it.
Cullen pulled out his phone and dialed Marco's number, requesting that he watch over Sabrina for the weekend.
Marco's voice ca through clearly. "Of course, no problem."
Saturday morning arrived with Marco collecting both Sabrina and Cecelia for their trip to Happy Valley amusent park.
The sprawling entertainnt complex offered countless rides and attractions, from spinning teacups to towering roller coasters. Yet Sabrina moved through the park like a ghost, her usual enthusiasm nowhere to be found. Where she once would have raced from ride to ride with infectious laughter, now she rely went through the motions.
Sothing was clearly weighing on her mind.
Marco returned from the concession stand carrying three ice cream cones, distributing them to the girls before settling beside Sabrina on a nearby bench.
Studying her delicate features that reminded him so much of Veronica, he kept his voice gentle. "Sa, you seem different today. What's bothering you?"
Sabrina perched on the edge of a colorful swing set, taking tiny, thodical licks of her vanilla ice cream. Her voice barely rose above a whisper. "I keep thinking about Mom. I really miss her."
During their ti living overseas, there had been stretches where she wouldn't see her mother for months at a ti due to work commitnts. But even then, their daily phone conversations had bridged the distance, filling the gaps with warmth and connection.
Recently, her mother had been juggling demanding work schedules, yet she still managed to answer every call within a few rings. More often than not, she would drop everything to rush ho and prepare Sabrina's favorite als.
Now, however, her repeated attempts to reach her mother t only with silence. The phone would ring endlessly before switching to voicemail. This complete radio silence was unprecedented and terrifying.
Marco felt his chest tighten with the knowledge he carried. The divorce papers bearing both Veronica and Cullen's signatures were already filed, officially granting Cullen full custody of Sabrina. The legal proceedings had concluded swiftly and quietly.
But he remained uncertain about how the forr couple had been navigating their new reality since the ink dried on those docunts.
Listening to Sabrina's confession, Marco leaned forward slightly. "Did sothing specific happen between you and your mom?"
Sabrina found herself explaining the situation in halting sentences, describing her mother's sudden and complete unavailability. Each unanswered call felt like a small rejection, building into a mountain of anxiety.
Marco understood the cruel irony of the situation. Sabrina remained blissfully unaware that her parents' marriage was dissolving around her. The adults had constructed an elaborate facade to protect her innocence.
The weight of this secret made it difficult for him to find the right words. After a long pause, he offered what comfort he could. "Your mom loves you more than anything in this world. I guarantee she's not avoiding your calls intentionally. Sotis grown-ups get overwheld with responsibilities, but that doesn't change how much we care about the people who matter most."
Sabrina's small shoulders relaxed slightly. "Dad told sothing similar."
Marco nodded but chose not to elaborate further, sensing the dangerous territory they were approaching.
Cecelia, who had been quietly observing the exchange while finishing her ice cream, scooted closer to offer her own form of support. "I miss Aunt Veronica too. She always rembers to bring those chocolate cookies I like. But Uncle Marco explained that she's been really swamped with work stuff lately. Adults have to deal with boring things sotis, but it doesn't last forever."
Sabrina managed a small smile. "I hope you're right."
The truth Marco couldn't share was more complicated. He had deliberately avoided reaching out to Veronica recently, not because of her work obligations, but because he recognized the magnitude of what she was enduring. The divorce itself was traumatic enough without adding the devastating blow of losing primary custody of her daughter.
He suspected that asking Veronica to spend ti with Cecelia right now might only amplify her pain, serving as a constant reminder of what she had lost.
As the afternoon stretched toward evening, Cullen's call ca right on schedule at five o'clock. "Where should I et you guys?"
Marco provided their current location, and within twenty minutes, Cullen's sleek black sedan pulled into the parking area.
"Dad!" The transformation in Sabrina was imdiate and dramatic. Despite Marco's kindness throughout the day, her entire deanor shifted when she spotted Cullen approaching.
Cullen cut an impressive figure in his tailored charcoal suit, having left his overcoat in the car due to the mild weather. He crouched down to Sabrina's level and swept her up into his arms, gently pinching her rosy cheek with obvious affection. "Did Marco and Cecelia show you a good ti today?"
The lancholy that had shadowed Sabrina for most of the afternoon seed to evaporate in her father's presence. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, clearly reluctant to let go. "It was really fun! We rode the bumper cars three tis."
Cullen carried her into the upscale restaurant he had selected for dinner, only setting her down once they reached their reserved private dining room. The space offered them privacy and comfort away from curious eyes.
Turning his attention to Marco, Cullen extended his hand in a brief but firm handshake. "I appreciate you taking care of her today."
Marco waved off the gratitude with characteristic modesty. "It was hardly work at all. The girls entertained each other most of the ti. I just had to make sure they didn't wander off or eat too much junk food."
Once he confird that both children were absorbed in coloring the restaurant's activity sheets and wouldn't overhear their conversation, Marco shifted closer to Cullen. His voice dropped to a more serious tone. "I know the custody arrangent gives you primary guardianship, but what's the situation with visitation? How are you handling Veronica's ti with Sa?"
Cullen imdiately grasped the underlying concern in Marco's question. A brief, humorless laugh escaped him. "You think I'm being vindictive? That I'm deliberately keeping Veronica away from her own daughter?"
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