Veronica accepted the document from Cullen's hands. Her eyes swept over the cover that read "Dissolution of Marriage Agreement" in bold black letters.
The opening clause hit her like a physical blow. Cullen was claiming sole custody of Sabrina. The remainder of the document stretched across multiple pages, meticulously cataloging the division of their shared assets and the considerable wealth he intended to transfer to her.
She had come here today planning to inquire about the status of their divorce proceedings.
Now, confronted with the finalized agreement, she browsed through the pages with deliberate detachment, barely allowing her gaze to linger on any single clause. Setting the document down on the mahogany table between them, she spoke with measured calm.
"I find these terms acceptable."
Without hesitation, she reached into her leather purse, withdrew an expensive fountain pen, and positioned it above the signature line.
When Veronica had first maneuvered her way into marriage with Cullen years ago, her tactics had been anything but noble.
While both Cullen and Nate held unfavorable opinions of her character, they had witnessed the depth of her devotion to Cullen throughout their marriage. Her love had been impossible to ignore, even when it made them uncomfortable.
Given the intensity of that love, Nate had fully expected her to crumble at the prospect of divorce. He had anticipated tears, desperate pleas, and absolute refusal to proceed with the dissolution of their union.
Her composed acceptance caught him completely off guard. Even more shocking was her apparent indifference to Cullen gaining exclusive custody of their daughter.
This reaction defied every prediction Nate had made. He shot a bewildered look toward Cullen.
Cullen remained focused on Veronica, his dark eyes studying her face with an intensity that suggested he too was blindsided by her compliance.
As Veronica leaned forward to affix her signature to the document, she suddenly stopped. Her pen hovered motionless above the paper for several heartbeats before she pulled back.
Nate felt a surge of vindication at this hesitation. Of course she would falter at the crucial moment. He had known her capitulation was too good to be true.
"I will have my attorney examine this document tomorrow," Veronica announced, her voice steady and professional. "Assuming no concerns arise during review, I will execute the agreement within forty-eight hours and have my legal counsel coordinate with yours."
The asset distribution outlined in the agreement was surprisingly generous. During her initial scan, she had noticed Cullen was even transferring a portion of his corporate holdings to her name.
Her original divorce petition had requested nothing from him beyond her freedom.
But faced with his unexpected generosity, she saw no reason to decline what he offered. Their marriage had spanned several years. While he had never reciprocated her feelings, he had also never deliberately sabotaged her wellbeing.
Seeing the substantial settlement he proposed, her instinct had been to sign immediately and end this painful chapter of her life. However, wisdom prevailed over impulse.
She worried about hidden complications buried within the legal language.
Should Cullen's business empire encounter difficulties down the road, those very shares he was transferring could make her a convenient target for blame and liability.
Cullen might harbor no malicious intent in crafting this agreement. But she could not ignore the possibility that once he married Niall, his new wife might exploit any vulnerabilities in these clauses to orchestrate her destruction.
Cullen appeared caught off guard by her cautious approach. He studied her face for a long moment before responding with a curt nod.
"That seems reasonable."
Veronica slipped the agreement into her purse and secured the zipper with deliberate precision. Rising from her chair without offering another word, she turned and walked toward the exit.
Nate tracked her departure with undisguised amazement. Once she had disappeared from view, he turned to face Cullen with evident confusion.
"Something is seriously wrong with her."
Cullen continued staring down the empty corridor where Veronica had vanished. Only after several seconds did he lower his gaze and respond with chilly detachment.
"I have no idea what you mean."
"She showed zero emotion when you claimed custody of Sabrina. That reaction is completely out of character for her."
Cullen remained silent for an extended moment, his jaw working as if he were chewing over something unpalatable.
"She cannot possibly be indifferent about custody rights. Sabrina means everything to her!"
A new thought seemed to strike Nate with sudden force. His eyes narrowed as he studied Cullen's expression with sharp scrutiny.
"Hold on. Did you two negotiate the custody arrangement privately before today?"
Cullen's features darkened like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. He appeared to wrestle with his response before finally answering.
"No. We have never discussed custody arrangements."
"Then what the hell explains her reaction?"