Cullen answered the call promptly. "Done with school?"

After a brief pause, he asked, "Missing your mom?"

"Sanctuary't you called her?" Sabrina's voice held a note of hope.

"No."

Cullen's chuckle carried through the line. "Why don't you call her yourself? I think she'll have time to talk today."

Sabrina's entire demeanor changed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "For real?"

"Absolutely. Go ahead and call her."

"I will!"

The moment their call ended, Sabrina's fingers flew across her phone screen, quickly finding Veronica's number and pressing dial.

Veronica stared at the incoming call notification, momentarily hesitating. She mentally calculated when they'd last had their regular meeting. Though she'd seen Sabrina twice recently—once during Cook's hospitalization after the stair incident, and again at the Reid residence—those weren't part of their scheduled monthly visits. It had been over a month since their last proper meeting.

This realization prompted her to answer. "Sa, are you finished with—"

"Mom!" Sabrina's voice burst through the speaker, overflowing with such pure joy that it cut Veronica's question short.

Veronica froze, her hand suspended over her computer mouse. After two heartbeats of silence, she softened her voice. "Yes, I'm here. School's over?"

"Yes!" Sabrina couldn't contain her excitement. "Mom, where are you? I wanted to call earlier but was afraid you'd be busy. Dad just told me you'd definitely pick up today. Are you coming home?"

"No—" Veronica caught herself, then continued more carefully. "I'm still at the office. After work, I'm heading to your Granny's house. Would you prefer to go there, or—"

"I'll go anywhere you go!" Sabrina interjected without hesitation.

"Alright," Veronica replied after a thoughtful pause. "Why don't you head to Granny's first? I'll join you as soon as I wrap up here."

"Perfect!"

After ending the call, Veronica quickly finished her remaining tasks and left the office, her mind already shifting to the evening ahead.

Before Veronica's car had fully stopped in the Murray driveway, Sabrina was already rushing out the front door. She launched herself into her mother's arms the moment Veronica stepped out. "Mom!"

"Hi, sweetie," Veronica murmured, lifting her daughter up into a proper embrace.

Mary appeared at the doorway, a warm smile crossing her face. "Ver, you're right on time. Dinner's just ready. Come in while it's hot."

"Thanks, Mom."

Throughout dinner, Sabrina remained glued to Veronica's side, unwilling to put even a few inches between them. She kept stealing glances at her mother between bites, as if reassuring herself that Veronica was really there.

Finally, she couldn't contain her thoughts anymore. "Mom, it's been forever since you cooked for me! Could you make dinner tomorrow? I really miss your cooking."

The innocent request made Veronica pause. She realized that since deciding to divorce Cullen, she had indeed stopped cooking for Sabrina. Even during Sabrina's visits to the Murray home, Veronica had always been too occupied with other matters to prepare meals for her daughter.

With a small pang of regret, she nodded. "Of course I can."

Most people in their social circles paid little attention to Niall's activities, so Mary and Phillip hadn't heard details about the growing bond between their granddaughter and Niall. However, even before Sabrina had returned to the country, the elderly couple had anticipated this possibility.

They weren't pleased about this development, naturally. The history between the Murray and Crystal families ran deep with old resentments and complicated emotions. But they were wise enough to understand that Sabrina was just a child—she couldn't possibly comprehend the long-standing grievances between the families. She wasn't to blame for forming an attachment.

With Veronica unable to secure full custody, Mary and Phillip had worried that prolonged separation might damage the mother-daughter relationship beyond repair. Now, watching how eagerly Sabrina clung to Veronica, how her eyes followed her mother's every movement, they felt a profound sense of relief. The bond was still there, still strong, still worth protecting at all costs.