Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 346: CEO Therapist

The moment Callan walked into Jamal’s office, he said nothing. He just walked to the small cabinet, took out a bottle of bourbon, poured a fingerful, and swallowed it in one go.

Jamal watched quietly, wondering if he was about to also counsel Callan. Perhaps he should resign as CEO and become a therapist, he pondered.

Callan set the glass down with a hard clink. "I messed up, Jam," he said in a low voice. "I messed up really badly. I did the worst thing I could ever do to Emily. And I don’t know how I’m supposed to forgive myself for it."

Jamal frowned as he leaned forward in his seat. "What are you talking about?"

Callan looked at him. His eyes were troubled. "I got pregnant with Emily six years ago and she had an abortion."

Jamal swore under his breath in disbelief. "When did this happen? How did I not know?" Jamal asked, trying to think back to six years ago to see if he could remember a time Emily might have been unwell.

"You were probably too busy preparing for your final exams to notice. You didn’t even know she travelled," Callan pointed out. "And I believe she must have hidden it," Callan said, voice breaking.

"Yeah. You’re right." Jamal sighed deeply. "That’s terrible. God... Callan, I know how bad it felt when I found out about Josh. I felt so guilty thinking about how she went through everything alone without me. So I can understand why you feel this way knowing she went through all of that alone."

Callan sank into the seat Stefan had vacated. "She wasn’t just alone. I broke her heart. And she was depressed. And she still had to carry that pain alone. I feel so mad and disgusted with myself." His voice cracked. "I kept thinking all night whether or not I should leave her alone to find someone more deserving."

Jamal glared. "Are you insane? This is MORE reason to stay. More reason to love her properly for the rest of your life."

"That’s what I want too," Callan whispered. "But what if she hates me? What if she resents me?"

Jamal exhaled. "What did she say after telling you?" He asked patiently.

Callan swallowed hard. "She said she’d give me a chance if I told our parents how I felt about her."

Jamal raised his brows. "Does that sound like someone who hates or resents you?"

Callan shook his head slowly. "No, but..."

"No buts," Jamal said. "Emily cares about you. So stop overthinking. Just do what she asked and sweep her off her feet."

Callan rubbed his forehead. "Mari suggested I sweep her off her feet before telling the family."

"Mari did? Well, I’d say do whatever Mari says," Jamal said. "Besides, now that you know the family has no problem with you two being together, your job is easier. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how to woo a lady. Win her over properly when you both get back to Husla. Then make it official and tell the family when you both come back home."

Callan opened his mouth to say he didn’t think Emily would be willing to do anything with him until he got the approval of the family, but then he remembered what she said about not continuing the residency programme. That meant he had less than a week with her in Husla.

"Maybe I can make that work," Callan said, smiling slowly.

Jamal grinned. "Now you’re talking. And you better make sure you get it right this time. Do not—"

"I won’t hurt her again. Ever." Callan cut in firmly.

"You better not," Jamal said. "Or—"

"I know," Callan said, lifting a hand. "You’ll kill me. Mari already threatened me too. And trust me I’ll kill myself too if I hurt her."

Jamal raised a brow. "Don’t do any suicide nonsense."

"You’re going to kill me if I hurt her anyway, so what do you care if I kill myself first?" Callan asked, and Jamal shook his head.

"It just doesn’t sound right hearing you say that. I think you’d be crazy enough to do something that stupid. So, let’s stop talking about killing anybody. The subject is making me uncomfortable," Jamal said, and Callan chuckled.

"Don’t worry. I don’t plan to be like Ryan in any way. I’ll leave the suicide thing to him. Thanks for hearing me out. I came to you because I needed to be sure that going after Emily would be the right thing for her. I should let you get back to work now," he said as he rose. "By the way, where’s Stef?"

"He’s around here somewhere overseeing a project."

"Diligent as always. How are things going with him and Genevieve?"

Jamal shrugged. "Can’t say. By the way, I heard the funeral is tomorrow and your Mum is handling it."

Callan sighed. "Yeah. But I can’t be bothered about that. We are leaving for Husla tomorrow. I’ll get out of your hair and let you get back to work now."

Before Callan could escape, Jamal stopped him. "You’re sure you don’t want to attend the funeral before you leave? He’s gone, Cal..."

"Jamal, I’m not attending the funeral," Callan said firmly. "After that stunt he pulled at the hospital, I don’t have any business with him. I don’t know him. I’ve not given him another thought since then."

Jamal raised both hands in surrender. "If you say so."

"I say so. Talk to you later," Callan said before walking out of the office.

Jamal sighed as he watched Callan leave, and then he glanced at his phone when it started vibrating.

He smiled when he saw it was his grandfather, and he received the call. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Mr Jonas?" He asked playfully.

His grandfather chuckled. "Where is my favourite great-grandson? Is he at yours or Tom’s?"

"Your only great-grandson, you mean? Why do you ask?"

His grandfather sighed heavily. "Why else would I ask if not to spend some time with him? I’m not getting any younger. I have to spend as much time as I can with him. And I should get to know your lady better too."

"They’re at the estate. Tom and Lucy are not back yet..."

"That will be all, thank you. Have a lovely day," his grandfather cut him off before hanging up the call.

Jamal chuckled as he gazed at his phone. "I guess I’ve been replaced," Jamal muttered before dialing Dawn’s line to inform her that his grandfather would be stopping over.