My Coldhearted Husband’s Regret

Sabrina bounced toward Veronica with pure joy radiating from her small face, her palm stretched high in the air. "Mom, we crushed it!"

Veronica met her daughter's enthusiasm with a satisfying slap of their palms. "We did." Cullen approached them with measured steps. "Did you capture the footage?"

"I got it all," Veronica confirmed, her fingers dancing across her phone screen as she transferred the video to his device.

The musical chairs competition had concluded, making way for the next challenge: the Invincible Light game.

This particular activity demanded collaboration from four families working as a unified team. Each group needed to advance forward while maintaining the constant rotation of a large circular tape ring beneath their collective feet. Victory belonged to whichever team crossed the finish line first.

Cullen's gaze found Veronica's face. "Are you interested in participating this time?"

Sabrina's head bobbed with unmistakable excitement. "Mom has to play this one with me."

Veronica found herself without any reasonable protest. "Fine by me."

As the starting whistle approached, Veronica found herself staring uncertainly at her handbag.

Cullen's hand extended toward her without hesitation. "Let me take that."

"I appreciate it." Veronica placed her bag into his waiting palm.

Among typical married couples, such a gesture would barely register as noteworthy. Yet between them, this marked the very first occasion Cullen had ever accepted responsibility for her personal belongings.

Veronica wondered silently whether he had ever performed this simple courtesy for Niall.

His appearance today deviated from his usual corporate formality, yet his imposing height combined with that tailored black overcoat made carrying her bag appear completely natural.

Any observer unfamiliar with their complicated history might easily mistake him for a devoted husband, patiently waiting while holding his cherished wife's belongings until her return.

Veronica forced her attention elsewhere.

The game demanded flawless coordination between teammates. Veronica positioned herself at the group's center, lifting her arms in perfect synchronization with the others to maintain the tape ring's steady rotation.

Sabrina claimed the spot directly behind her mother, gripping Veronica's coat to match her movements, her laughter echoing with genuine delight.

The moment Sabrina spotted Cullen documenting their performance with his phone, her energy skyrocketed. "Dad!"

Cullen had strategically positioned himself at a slight angle ahead of their group.

Veronica remained conscious of his nearby presence, though the game's intensity prevented her from acknowledging him directly. The instant Sabrina's voice rang out, Cullen's calm instruction followed. "Keep your focus here. Stay with your mother's pace."

Sabrina's response bubbled with enthusiasm. "I understand!"

During the earlier competition, Veronica had remained stationary while filming, maintaining a fixed recording position. Now, as Cullen captured their participation, he demonstrated remarkable dedication by moving in harmony with the game's progression, walking backward while maintaining steady footage.

One complete circuit brought the game to its conclusion.

Sabrina immediately rushed toward Cullen. "Dad, that was incredible! Could we do this again another time?"

Cullen's expression softened with genuine warmth. "Absolutely."

Veronica approached and reclaimed her bag from his grasp. A notification chime emerged from within the bag at that precise moment.

She retrieved her phone and discovered Cullen's video message waiting for her. Though she registered its arrival, she chose not to view it immediately.

Sabrina had already claimed the space beside Cullen, her curiosity focused entirely on watching the video he had recorded.

Cullen surrendered his phone to her eager hands, then twisted open a water bottle and offered it in Veronica's direction.

Veronica accepted his gesture. "Thank you." Her throat had indeed grown parched from the exertion.

She consumed several refreshing sips before securing the cap back in place, just as Cullen's voice cut through the ambient noise. "What comes next on the schedule?"

Veronica seriously doubted that someone possessing his remarkable memory would genuinely forget the agenda after reviewing it once.

However...

Her eyes dropped to the water bottle resting in her grip, and she hesitated. Declining someone's question after accepting their kindness felt unnecessarily harsh.

With that consideration weighing on her mind, she provided the answer he sought. "The Orr Transportation Match."