When Edric extended his invitation, Veronica's lips curved into a gentle smile. "Alright."
They moved with the flowing crowd toward the waterfront viewing area.
The moment they secured their spot against the railing, a cascade of brilliant fireworks erupted across the night sky above the river. The crowd erupted in delighted gasps and appreciative murmurs, though their voices were swallowed by the thunderous explosions echoing overhead.
Around them, people frantically pulled out their phones to capture the spectacle, while others closed their eyes and whispered silent wishes into the night air.
Edric noticed that Veronica stood motionless, her gaze fixed on the colorful display without reaching for her phone or making any attempt to document the moment. "Would you like me to take a video for you?" he offered.
She shook her head, her expression serene. "There's no need. Simply watching is perfect."
Edric respected her preference and didn't push the matter.
Several meters away through the crowd, Niall's scanning gaze landed on their section of the railing.
Edric's impressive height and commanding presence made him impossible to miss, even in the dense gathering. Having encountered him on multiple occasions, they had developed a comfortable acquaintanceship.
Niall was preparing to point him out to Cullen, who stood beside her with Sabrina nestled in his arms, intending to make their way over for a friendly greeting. But as she looked more carefully, she caught sight of the figure positioned slightly behind Edric's broad frame.
Veronica stood there, her face illuminated by the bursting lights above.
Niall's welcoming smile transformed into something rigid and unnatural.
What were they doing here together? Fireworks displays were typically shared by families or romantic couples creating intimate memories.
Beyond that single dance they had shared at the charity banquet, Veronica and Edric had maintained virtually no contact. So what circumstances had brought them to this romantic setting as a pair?
She studied the scene more intently and confirmed her observation. They were definitely alone together, just the two of them.
"Niall, look up there! It's absolutely breathtaking!" Sabrina's excited voice broke through her concentration.
The little girl had noticed Niall's distracted attention and didn't want her to miss the spectacular show unfolding overhead. She leaned closer, cupping her small hands around Niall's ear to share her bubbling enthusiasm over the noise.
Niall forced herself to refocus and smiled down at the child. "You're right, I can see it."
Cullen observed his wife's demeanor and detected something off in her manner. "Is something bothering you?"
"Not at all," Niall replied quickly, perhaps too quickly.
Sabrina remained completely absorbed in the pyrotechnic display, her attention never wavering from the exploding colors above, which meant she remained oblivious to Veronica's presence in the crowd.
But when Cullen turned to address Niall's apparent distraction, his casual glance swept across the crowd and landed directly on Veronica.
Since Edric was engaged in conversation with her, Veronica's face was angled in their general direction.
Their eyes connected across the distance and chaos of the crowd.
Veronica's breath caught in her throat. She pressed her lips into a thin line and deliberately turned her attention back to the fireworks.
In that same moment, Edric shifted his position to get a better view of the display, presenting his distinctive profile to Cullen's line of sight.
Even from this distance and angle, Cullen's recognition was immediate and certain.
Observing that Cullen had also spotted the unlikely pair, Niall commented, "I certainly didn't anticipate seeing them here together tonight."
"Hmm," Cullen's response carried complete indifference as he pulled his gaze away from them.
Niall studied her husband's utterly neutral reaction and felt her smile tighten. But then something darker flickered across her features.
The sight of Edric and Veronica sharing this romantic evening together caused the pleasant expression to slip from her face entirely. Her eyes drifted back to Veronica with renewed intensity.
At that precise moment, Edric's attention shifted in their direction as well.
Recognizing that Niall had noticed him among the crowd, he offered her a courteous nod of acknowledgment.
Niall reciprocated with what appeared to be a warm smile.
Under normal circumstances, Edric would have made his way through the crowd to exchange pleasantries with an acquaintance. However, given the obvious strain that existed between Veronica and Niall, he made the deliberate choice to maintain their distance.
Niall's brow furrowed slightly with confusion before she slowly redirected her attention elsewhere.
Following that single, charged moment of eye contact, Cullen made no further attempt to look in Veronica's direction.
Meanwhile, Sabrina remained blissfully unaware of the undercurrents swirling around her. She continued taking enthusiastic pictures with Cullen's phone and pointing out her favorite bursts of color, completely missing the fact that Veronica stood just meters away in the same crowd, watching the same spectacular display under the same star-filled sky.