Sabrina's natural closeness to Cullen didn't surprise anyone. Children always gravitated toward the parent who spent more time with them.
What Casey found more telling was watching the other families during the games. When their partners succeeded, spouses cheered and applauded with genuine pride. When they struggled, worry creased their faces as they shouted encouragement from the sidelines.
Every other family moved as one unit, their emotions synchronized.
But with Veronica's family, something felt off. Despite Veronica's warm smile as she watched her daughter play, an invisible barrier seemed to separate her from Cullen and Sabrina. She looked like she was observing their happiness rather than sharing in it.
Casey recalled the previous parent-teacher conference, when Sabrina had clung to that other woman with such obvious affection and familiarity.
No wonder the dynamic felt strained now. How could any mother not feel displaced when her child showed such devotion to the very person who had shattered their family?
Veronica must be suffering in silence. But Casey couldn't find the right words to bridge the awkwardness between them.
Veronica caught the mixture of pity and uncertainty in Casey's expression. She realized Casey had connected the dots about her situation. Rather than feel embarrassed, she simply offered a serene smile.
The worst of the emotional turmoil had already passed.
She understood perfectly why she was here today. Niall had been unavailable, so Cullen and Sabrina needed a substitute. That's all she was - a convenient replacement.
The knowledge stung, but she had accepted it.
Cullen and Sabrina jogged back from their successful game round, both flushed with victory. Sabrina immediately bounced over to review the footage.
"Did you get everything, Mom?"
Veronica nodded, already transferring the video files to both Sabrina's tablet and Cullen's phone. "Check your devices. Everything should be there now."
Sabrina's face lit up with delight. "Perfect!"
Three competition rounds later, the athletic portion finally concluded. Sabrina clutched two gleaming first-place trophies against her chest, practically vibrating with excitement as she demanded Cullen document her triumph.
He obligingly snapped multiple shots from different angles.
Then Sabrina spun toward Veronica with sparkling eyes. "Mom, now take pictures of Dad and me together!"
"Of course, sweetheart."
Following her daughter's instructions, Veronica captured several shots of Cullen and Sabrina posing with the trophies, their faces glowing with shared accomplishment.
After Veronica sent the photos to Sabrina's tablet, Cullen surprised her by extending his hand. "Let me get some shots of you two as well."
"Yes! Come here, Mom!" Sabrina called out enthusiastically.
Veronica moved to her daughter's side, and Cullen took several photos of them together, the trophies still prominent in the frame.
Just as Veronica reclaimed her phone, it began buzzing insistently. Dario's name flashed on the screen.
"I need to handle this call," she explained.
Sabrina nodded brightly. "No problem, Mom!"
Cullen simply grunted his acknowledgment.
The work conversation stretched nearly fifteen minutes as Dario walked her through several urgent client concerns that required her immediate attention.
When Veronica finally ended the call and looked up, she noticed Cullen and Sabrina huddled together over his phone, clearly video chatting with someone. Their heads bent close together, voices low and intimate.
She didn't intrude on their private moment. Instead, she focused on reviewing the urgent documents Dario had forwarded to her phone, losing herself in work details.
Eventually, Sabrina's voice cut through her concentration. "Mom! Come join us for the big group photo, then we can finally eat!"
Veronica approached as the photographer organized all the families for their final shots. After the large group picture, individual family portraits followed.
With the last camera flash, the school's parent-child event officially wrapped up.
As families began dispersing, Cullen retrieved his jacket from a nearby chair. He turned to Veronica with a casual expression. "Any preference for lunch?"
Before Veronica could respond, Sabrina shot her hand up like she was still in class. "I vote for Korean barbecue! That amazing place we discovered last month!"
Cullen ruffled her hair affectionately. "That restaurant is across town. You have afternoon classes - we'd never make it back in time."
Sabrina's face fell momentarily before rebounding with renewed enthusiasm. "Okay, what about that seafood place downtown?"
Instead of answering immediately, Cullen's gaze shifted to Veronica, waiting for her input. "What sounds good to you?"