No one calls him that. No one except… me. Now. And apparently Lady Coincidence.
— Actually, Callum says, a hint of tension in his voice, I haven’t been in a while.
— Really? Heather says, exaggerated surprise. But we spent so much time there last year, when you were helping me with the Highlands textile exhibition. Do you remember that night we stayed until dawn finishing the presentation?
Her nostalgic look says too much.
Way too much.
My stomach tightens.
— It was for the foundation, Callum clarifies, uncomfortable.
— Of course, Heather smiles. Always so devoted.
She turns to me, her smile soft—but her eyes cold.
— It’s one of the many qualities I’ve always admired in him. His loyalty. His dedication.
A pause.
— It’s rare to find men with such traditional values these days, don’t you think?
The implication lands clean and sharp.
I don’t belong in that world.
And the worst part?
She’s not entirely wrong.
— Absolutely, Isobel adds. Family values are very important to the McGregors. Which is why we were all quite surprised by how quickly this marriage happened.
Her gaze could freeze hell.
— Mother, Callum warns.
— What? I’m simply observing that some decisions require more reflection. Heather and you took your time. Built something based on shared values, shared interests. It was… appropriate.
Appropriate.
The word drops like a stone into still water.
— Times change, Maggie says calmly, spreading jam on a scone. Sometimes love strikes like lightning.
— Or like a well-negotiated business contract, Keira mutters under her breath, making me nearly choke.
Fantastic. I’m about to turn into a tea-spitting llama.
— Exactly, Heather continues smoothly. Love is so unpredictable. One day, you think you know where your life is going, and the next…
She lets the sentence hang, her gaze flicking briefly to Callum before returning to me.
— But I’m sure your marriage is based on a deep connection, despite its… spontaneity.
— Spontaneous, yes, I reply evenly. Like the best things in life.
— Hmm, she hums. A very Hollywood perspective. In families like the McGregors, tradition and stability tend to outweigh impulsiveness.
