Veronica finally collapsed into bed after more than twenty-four hours of nonstop work. She had ticulously docunted everything Dario needed and sent it off before dragging herself downstairs for breakfast.
Dario could barely contain his excitent when he reviewed her materials. "This is exactly what we needed, Ver! Absolutely perfect!"
Massaging her throbbing temples, Veronica managed a weary smile. "I'm completely exhausted. Let's discuss it after I've had so sleep."
"Of course, get so rest." Veronica didn't wake until the late afternoon sunlight filtered through her curtains.
When she opened her eyes, she found Sabrina sitting cross-legged on the floor of her room, concentrating on a puzzle.
Sabrina's face lit up when she noticed Veronica stirring. "Mom, you're finally awake!"
Veronica responded with a drowsy nod.
"Are you thirsty? Should I get you so water?" Sabrina asked, already half-rising.
Veronica hesitated briefly before accepting. "Yes, that would be nice."
After delivering a glass of water to her mother, Sabrina returned to her puzzle, arranging pieces with careful consideration.
Watching her daughter, Veronica felt a pang of guilt. She'd been so consud with work lately that she'd barely spent any ti with Sabrina. And tomorrow marked the end of the holiday break—she'd be back at DataPulse full-ti, with even fewer opportunities to be present for her daughter.
"Sa," she called softly.
Sabrina turned, her eyes questioning. "What is it, Mom?"
"Do you know when your dad is planning to return?"
"Not soon, from what he said." Sabrina tilted her head. "Did you need him for sothing important?"
"No, just wondering," Veronica replied. "Go back to your puzzle."
"Okay."
After finishing her water, Veronica grabbed her phone and ssaged Cullen: "When are you coming back? I start work tomorrow and won't have ti to look after Sabrina. You need to take her."
Nearly thirty minutes passed before Cullen's response appeared: "I'll be back in two days."
Veronica left it at that. After dinner, Sabrina went out for an evening walk with Mary while Veronica retreated upstairs.
Almost imdiately, Dario called to continue their project discussion. Veronica put him on speaker as they brainstord ideas and refined concepts.
Sabrina returned from her walk and paused outside Veronica's door, hearing her mother deep in conversation with an unfamiliar male voice. A small frown creased her forehead as she pushed the door open.
"Who are you talking to, Mom?" she interrupted, her tone tinged with uncertainty.
"Just a friend from work," Veronica answered casually.
"Oh..." Sabrina murmured.
On the other end, Dario fell silent, choosing not to ntion that he'd known Sabrina when she was younger—that he'd even held her as a baby. So mories were better left undisturbed.
Their professional conversation continued until well past ten o'clock before they finally wrapped up.
The next morning, Veronica returned to the familiar rhythm of corporate life at DataPulse. The company had been operating with insufficient staff ever since they began developing the two ambitious projects Veronica had created last year. They'd planned to hire additional personnel by year-end, but both Veronica and Dario had been too overwheld to focus on recruitnt.
Now, with expansion becoming increasingly urgent, Veronica took charge of staffing arrangents on her first day back from holiday break.
Cullen had said he'd return after two days, yet four days passed with no sign of him. On the fifth day, Veronica was still at her office when Sabrina called, her voice bubbling with excitent.
"Mom! Dad's back! He sent soone to pick up!"
"I see," Veronica replied evenly. "Make sure you don't leave anything behind."
"I won't!"
After a brief pause, Sabrina's voice returned, more hesitant this ti. "Could you co ho and see off, Mom?"
Veronica glanced at the mountain of work still demanding her attention. Her first instinct was to decline, but she rembered how little ti she'd spent with Sabrina lately due to her overwhelming schedule. Besides, once Sabrina left with Cullen, who knew when she'd see her daughter again?
"Alright," she conceded. "I'll head ho now."
"Yes!" Sabrina cheered through the phone.
Dario had also returned from his business trip and fully supported Veronica leaving early, especially seeing how exhausted she'd been lately.
However, he couldn't resist adding his perspective as Veronica gathered her things.
"Cullen abandons everything for a honeymoon with that woman, even delays coming back by days without an ounce of guilt. anwhile you—a mother without custody—feel guilty for working hard and not spending every mont with your child?" Dario scoffed. "Cullen's taking advantage of your kind heart, Veronica. He dumps the kid with you whenever it's convenient, then runs off to enjoy himself."
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