My brain scrambled to catch up.
What the hell was she doing?
“I hope you can forgive me,” Vani added gently. “Being a new bride has been more stressful than I expected. I’m still learning how to navigate everything that comes with being Callahan’s wife.”
My mother stared at her, completely speechless. I had seen my mother stunned exactly twice in my life. Both times, my wife was the cause.
“Yes… " Well,” my mother said slowly, clearly recalibrating. “Marriage can be quite the adjustment.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” Vani admitted with a small laugh.
I watched her carefully. Every word. Every expression.
Because this woman—my wife, who had moved into my bedroom without asking and confronted my mother at every turn—was suddenly acting like the perfect society daughter-in-law.
Which meant one thing. This was all a part of her plan.
“Are you as surprised as we are?” Theo murmured as he drew closer to me.
“I might be more surprised,” I muttered back.
Vani continued speaking with my mother as if nothing unusual was happening.
“I truly do want us to start over,” she spoke sincerely. “Family is important to Callahan. I’d hate to be the reason for unnecessary tension.”
“I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses,” my mother smiled, her voice full of satisfaction as she looked directly at Vani.
That wasn’t an unusual sentence coming from my mother. What was unusual was the fact that Vani didn’t immediately argue. Instead, Vani nodded.
“Yes,” she said calmly. “You were right all along.”
For a moment, it felt like the room went completely silent. I looked from my mother to Vani, certain I had misheard something. But no. Vani stood there looking perfectly composed, her posture relaxed, her tone even.
My mother’s expression shifted almost instantly. The tension she carried around Vani melted away, replaced by something that looked dangerously close to delight.
“Well,” my mom said, clearly pleased. “I’m glad to hear you finally recognize that.”
“I do,” Vani replied smoothly. “I was wrong.”
Emily slowly turned toward me with the same confused expression I knew had to be on my face. Theo, who had been leaning casually against the back of a chair, straightened slightly.
Emily narrowed her eyes at Vani. “Are you sick?” she asked bluntly.
Theo let out a quiet laugh. I almost did too, if I wasn’t so busy trying to figure out what was happening. Vani smiled lightly.
“No,” she said. “I’m fine.”
Emily didn’t look convinced.
“You sure?” she pressed, tilting her head slightly. “Because this feels suspicious.”
Theo nodded. “Extremely suspicious.”
Vani laughed softly, waving a hand as if brushing the whole thing away.
“I just realized,” she said calmly. “Your mom was right all along.”
My mother physically seemed to brighten with every word Vani spoke. Her posture straightened with pride, and the pleased look on her face grew stronger. I stood there, completely puzzled.
