I didn’t look at her. I folded my hands on the table and kept my eyes on my mother instead. “Why is she here?”
The smile on Victoria’s lips twitched, but she didn’t answer. My sister shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
My mother didn’t hesitate. “Because you’re going to marry her.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. I stared at her, certain I’d misheard. Certain she hadn’t just said what I thought she said.
“I’m sorry,” I said slowly. “What?”
“You heard me,” she replied, as calmly as if she’d announced dessert. A short, incredulous laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “That’s never going to happen.”
Her expression didn’t change. “It will.”
“No,” I said, the word sharp and immediate. “It won’t. That’s not your decision to make.”
Victoria laughed softly, the sound light and placating. “Let’s not turn this into a fight.”
I turned toward her then, meeting her gaze for the first time.
The confidence in her expression made my stomach tighten. She wasn’t surprised by my reaction. She expected resistance, not my outright refusal.
“You have no right to show up here,” I said flatly.
Her smile faltered, just for a fraction of a second, before it reappeared. “You don’t mean that.”
“I do.”
“Callahan,” my father muttered, finally lifting his head. “Let your mother explain.”
I shot him a look, anger flaring hot in my chest. He looked away almost immediately.
“Explain what?” I asked. “Why is my ex sitting at this table like she owns the place?”
My mother ignored the sarcasm. “This marriage will benefit everyone involved.”
“Everyone except me.”
“You’ll adjust,” she said dismissively.
I leaned back in my chair, disbelief slowly giving way to something darker—hurt and anger mixing beneath the surface. 'You can't seriously think I'd agree to this.'
“It’s already been discussed,” she replied.
“With who?” I demanded. “Because it sure as hell wasn’t discussed with me.”
My mother cleared her throat. “This isn’t about feelings.”
“Of course it is,” I snapped. “You’re talking about my life.”
“It’s about the company,” she corrected. “And its future.”
I shook my head slowly. “You still haven’t explained why you think dragging Victoria back into my life is suddenly strategic.”
“I’m glad you asked,” she said.
She straightened, clearly settling into this part of the conversation. “Victoria’s father has approached us about a partnership.”
I frowned. “A partnership?”
