My Coldhearted Husband’s Regret

Cullen held his daughter close, his thumb gently massaging her temple as he studied her face—the same eyebrows and eyes that mirrored his own. "Your mom picked up the phone, but you still don't seem happy about it."

Sabrina's little brows knitted together in confusion. "I am happy, but..."

The words trailed off. After so long without speaking to her mother, she should be overjoyed that she'd finally called, and yet...

"But what?" Cullen prompted gently.

"But I also feel sad," Sabrina admitted in a small voice.

"That's pretty deep thinking for someone your age," Cullen said, propping his chin up with a soft chuckle. "You probably just miss her since it's been a while. Once her work calms down, she'll make more time for you."

Sabrina nodded, though her pout remained firmly in place. "But Mom is super busy. She said she can't see me until next month."

"Then we'll count down the days together until next month, how does that sound?"

"Okay," Sabrina agreed reluctantly.

As sleepiness began to overtake her, she yawned widely, climbed down from his lap, and padded back to her bedroom to rest.

The day before Bloom Celebration arrived with clear skies and cool air. By late morning, Seraphine and Leo had seen no sign of Veronica around the house.

On New Year's Lewis, Watson had made the trip home to visit Cook, but Veronica hadn't appeared at all. Seraphine had dismissed it then, assuming some urgent matter with the Murray family had kept her away.

Yesterday, when Cook was discharged from the hospital, Veronica's absence had been noted again. Cullen had simply explained she was tied up with work.

Given Veronica's evident devotion to her son, Seraphine hadn't seriously entertained the thought of divorce becoming reality. She'd always assumed it was just talk.

But today felt different.

Unlike Cullen, Veronica didn't have the kind of high-powered career that demanded constant attention. No matter how pressing the Murray family business might be, surely she could have made time for a brief appearance.

So when Cullen came downstairs around eleven, Seraphine couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.

"Have you and Veronica already divorced?" she asked directly.

Leo, who was also present, looked up in surprise. He hadn't given much thought to Veronica's recent absences, but Seraphine's question stunned him completely.

Cullen took an unhurried sip of his tea before answering with remarkable calm. "Not yet, but it's in process."

Leo's eyes widened. So it was really happening. He had always known Cullen didn't love Veronica, but after all these years together, he'd assumed they would simply continue their arrangement indefinitely. The thought that they would actually follow through with divorce had never seriously occurred to him.

Seraphine studied Cullen's face carefully.

Perhaps ending a loveless marriage was for the best. But what about Niall?

She opened her mouth to voice her concerns when Cullen, seemingly anticipating her questions, stood abruptly.

"I have a meeting," he announced, and walked out before she could respond.

Seraphine frowned as she watched him leave. "You—"

Meanwhile, at the Murray estate, the day had slipped away. After dinner, as darkness blanketed the sky, Veronica, Thomas, and Adrian were preparing to light fireworks when Veronica's phone buzzed with an incoming video call from Marco.

She paused, surprised. Marco never called without good reason.

When she answered, Cecelia's bright little face filled the screen immediately.

"Ms. Veronica!" the child exclaimed.

"Hello," Veronica replied with a genuine smile. "Cecelia, Happy Bloom's Lewis."

"Happy Bloom's Lewis!" Cecelia echoed cheerfully.

The little girl appeared to be in a garden. She handed the phone to Marco briefly before lifting up a small rabbit-shaped light wand that glowed with warm orange light.

"Look, Ms. Veronica! Isn't my light wand pretty? I love it so much! Thank you!"

"I'm glad you like it," Veronica said warmly.

Cecelia's smile widened. "Ms. Veronica, Uncle Marco and I are going to set off fireworks soon. Do you want to come over?"

Veronica assumed she meant the Valerie family home and gently declined. "I can't today, sweetie. I have other plans. Maybe next time?"

"Oh, okay," Cecelia said, slightly disappointed but quickly bouncing back.

She chatted animatedly for another minute before something caught her attention off-screen. With a quick wave, she dashed away, leaving Marco holding the phone.

"Happy Bloom's Lewis," he said, his voice slightly awkward without Cecelia as a buffer.

"Happy Bloom's Lewis to you too," Veronica replied.

The conversation felt suddenly stilted, and Veronica wasn't sure what else to say.

Marco cleared his throat. "Any special plans tonight? Fireworks? Going somewhere for the countdown?"

Veronica shook her head slightly. "Probably just local fireworks. Thomas and Adrian want to go out, so I'll likely join them."

She assumed Marco was merely making polite conversation and didn't think much of it. The distance between them still felt vast, with little common ground to bridge it.

"I should go," she said finally. "Things to do."

Marco nodded. "Of course."

Veronica gave him a brief nod, her eyes lingering on his image for just a moment before ending the call.

Setting her phone down, she stepped out of the small garden to join Thomas and Adrian, who were already eagerly arranging the fireworks for their Bloom Celebration celebration.