Chapter 34 - Callahan
As soon as Vani stiffened beside me, I followed her gaze to see what was wrong.
The second I saw Victoria, I knew this was my mother’s doing.
I felt my jaw tighten immediately, irritation mixing with resignation.
There was no point pretending this was some unfortunate coincidence.
My mother had clearly invited Victoria on purpose.
She wanted a reaction from me, or maybe from Vani.
She knew exactly what she was doing, and if she had her way, she would keep testing Vani until one of them snapped.
I braced myself, wondering if she was hoping for a confrontation tonight, or had something even more humiliating in mind for us.
At this point, it would have been better if one of Vani’s exes had shown up, so I could feel a bit less guilty for causing her so much trouble.
Even as I thought that, I hoped that day would never come.
The idea hit me with immediate regret, the taste of jealousy bitter on my tongue.
I couldn’t stomach any man from her past standing close, speaking to her like an old secret, looking at her as if she still belonged to him.
Just the image made my jaw clench, and my mood curdle.
It was irrational, given our complicated situation, but I didn’t care.
Vani already had a talent for getting under my skin in ways I never expected.
Her ex showing up would only deepen the ache.
Before I could lean down and ask if she wanted Victoria to leave, a few people across the room noticed me.
That was all it took.
The moment people realized I was in the room, they came to greet me. The same predictable rhythm: a nod, widened eyes, a whisper, then a line of people pretending they had just wandered my way.
I schooled my expression into a polite, neutral look and greeted them as they approached.
“Callahan, good to see you.”
“It’s been a while.”
Every time someone came over, I made sure to introduce Vani.
“This is my wife, Evania.”
I repeated it without hesitation, watching for their reactions—surprise, curiosity, polite smiles. They may have heard rumors, but hearing it from me made it real and undeniable.
Vani played her role perfectly—graceful smiles, firm handshakes, speaking only when necessary. If anyone noticed her cool reserve, they wisely kept quiet.
I kept introducing her, again and again. It became mechanical, yet I didn’t mind saying it. My wife. The words settled deep in my chest each time.
That was until one of the younger men walked over with a woman on his arm. I heard Vani curse under her breath. The sound was soft, nearly lost beneath the music and the low murmur of voices around us, but I caught it.
Before he even reached us, Vani leaned in slightly, her voice low but urgent as if she wanted to prepare me. "That's my ex." She didn't look at me, just kept her focus on the approaching man, making her intention—to warn me, maybe to ask for support—clear.
I turned to her so fast I was surprised I didn’t give myself whiplash. Then I stared at the man walking toward us, wide-eyed, wondering if this was karma coming to get me for even thinking about such a thing earlier.
The universe clearly had a twisted sense of humor.
He was younger than me, dressed in a suit that implied he wanted to seem more important than he was.
His confidence seemed fragile, based on the assumption that he held the most power in the room.
The woman on his arm was pretty in a polished, distant way, her forced smile saying she knew he’d embarrass himself and had accepted it.
The man’s gaze landed on Vani first.
He acted surprised to see her, though I wasn’t sure if he could be believed.
“Eva?” he said, slowing to a stop in front of us. “Wow. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Vani’s fingers curled tighter around my arm, but her face remained composed. “I could say the same, Jeremy.”
His eyes finally shifted to me, taking me in with obvious curiosity before recognition dawned.
“And you are…?” he asked, though the look in his eyes said he already knew.
“Callahan Sterling,” I said evenly.
“Right,” he said, drawing the word out. “Of course.”
He looked between us, lingering on our closeness and Vani’s hand on my arm. Something ugly flashed across his face.
“Well,” he said, “this is unexpected.”
I didn’t respond.
I just looked at him.
Beside me, Vani had gone very still again, and I could already feel my temper beginning to stir. I didn’t know the full story of what had happened between them, but I didn’t need to know everything to recognize a terrible person.
He glanced at Vani once more and then, with a half-laugh that made me want to break something, said, “Didn’t think you were his type.”
My eyes narrowed. Vani’s grip on me tightened in warning before I could speak.
“I mean, no offense,” he added, with the sort of fake politeness only a coward used before saying something offensive anyway. “She doesn't exactly fit in here.”
A violent urge surged within me—I was moments from breaking his nose.
I really was.
My hand flexed, already picturing my fist connecting with his smug face. But before I acted, Vani tightened her grip, stopping me.
With graceful defiance, Vani lifted her hand, her ring winking in the light like a flash of defiance.
Her ex’s gaze dropped to it at once.
“I'm his lawfully wedded wife,” she said. "Who else would he bring?"
He scoffed. "So you're a gold digger now?"
A cold, savage smile twisted on my lips as I met his glare. "Tread carefully," I warned, my voice razor-sharp. "Funny how bitter you sound for a man too broke to keep her. Don’t worry, that’s not a problem I’ll ever have."
His face changed instantly. The smug amusement disappeared, replaced by offense so immediate it was almost satisfying.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” he snapped.
“It means exactly what it sounds like,” I said.
The woman on his arm shifted uncomfortably.
Vani stayed quiet, as if curious how far I’d go. Very far, as it turned out. I looked at him as though I’d just remembered. “What company do you work for again?”
His brows drew together. “I didn't.”
I tilted my head. “The company. Say it.”
He hesitated, clearly unsure whether answering me would be a mistake. His pride won out.
“Langford Financial.”
I gave a slow nod, reached into my pocket, and pulled out my phone.
He frowned. “What are you doing?”
I ignored him and dialed Daniel.
It only rang once before he answered. “Sir?”
“Daniel,” I said, my voice calm enough that no one hearing it would have guessed how angry I was, “get started on acquiring Langford Financial.”
Jeremy's eyes narrowed angrily. “You can’t be serious.”
There was the briefest pause on the other end.
“Understood."
I held my exhale steady. “I want it done by morning.”
“Yes, sir.”
I ended the call and pocketed my phone. Jeremy stared, unsure if he heard right. I looked at Vani, then him.
“It’s a gift to my wife,” I said. “You'd better be nice to her. She’ll be your boss by morning.”
The silence around us deepened. This time, people definitely were listening. I could practically feel the shock spreading in quiet ripples through the nearby guests, see it in the way a few heads subtly turned before snapping back as if they hadn’t been paying attention at all.
His mouth opened.
Closed.
Opened again.
His face contorted with anger, desperation flickering in his eyes. I couldn’t tell whether it was my threat or the way I delivered it that broke him, as if buying his company was as effortless as ordering a drink.
Vani looked up at me, and even though she hadn’t said a word yet, I could feel the heat of her stare.
He glared at both of us for another beat before he finally turned and marched away, dragging the woman with him. I watched him go without a shred of regret. Only when he had disappeared into the crowd did I look down at Vani.
"You did not just do that.”
I let one brow lift. “I did.”
Feeling a little better, I led Vani into the ballroom as the auction portion of the ball was about to begin.
The music had softened, the lights were focused more toward the stage, and the restless energy of the room told me the main event was about to start.
People were finishing conversations and making their way to their tables, champagne glasses in hand.
I guided Vani to our table, resting my hand lightly on her back. Once there, I pulled out her chair and then sat beside her.
“You look calmer,” she murmured, glancing at me.
“I am,” I admitted quietly. “Mostly because neither of us caused a big scene with our ex.”
Her lips curved faintly. “Don’t tempt me. The night isn’t over.”
I huffed a quiet laugh.
Before I could respond, the other seats at our table began to fill.
My parents appeared first, then Emily and Theo, settling in as the auction began. The stage lights brightened, signaling the start.
But I barely noticed. My attention was on my father. His jaw was tight, his shoulders stiff, and the look in his eyes was the kind that usually meant someone was about to get a lecture they would never forget.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, leaning slightly toward him.
He didn’t even hesitate. “Your mother added Victoria to the guest list.”
Across the table, Emily’s eyes widened slightly while Theo looked between my parents with obvious curiosity. Before I could say anything, my mother hurried into the last empty chair at the table.
“That is not true,” she said immediately.
Dad turned his head slowly toward her. “Oh?”
“I did not add her to the guest list,” my mother said firmly. “I may have made mistakes recently, but I’m not that stupid.”
Dad’s expression didn’t soften. “Then explain how she ended up here.”
My mother exhaled sharply, clearly frustrated.
“I just asked around,” she said, "she entered as a plus one. I wouldn’t risk doing something like that right now, not with you threatening to divorce me if I didn’t change.”
Emily nearly choked on her drink.