Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 364: Read This

Emily stood by the window, the curtain pulled just a little to the side so he wouldn’t notice it.

She smiled to herself as she watched him get into his car and reverse slowly, then turn and drive down the long driveway. The red taillights disappeared into the night.

"Did you have fun?" She heard her father ask behind her, and she jumped.

She spun around, hand flying to her chest. "Dad! You scared me," she said, turning on the light.

Her father sat on the couch in the living room, arms folded, eyebrows raised in amusement.

"What are you doing awake?" she asked. "And why are you sitting there like that? It’s late," she said, wondering if he saw the kiss at the door.

He chuckled. "And you were out. Did you expect me to go to bed when you weren’t home yet?"

She blinked. "I never said I was coming back home."

"You’re travelling tomorrow, so I was pretty sure you’d be back," he replied simply. "So, I was waiting up. And I was hoping we’d have a moment together. I haven’t really talked to you since you arrived."

Her smile softened. "Oh. What do you want to talk about?"

He looked her over with approval, then smiled. "Before that... you look really beautiful. I like your dress."

Emily glanced down at herself. "Thanks. It’s Mari’s."

His brows lifted. "Why are you borrowing Mari’s clothes? Why not just buy dresses like this if you want them instead of the scrubs you always wear?"

She laughed as she walked toward the stairs. "Because we’re girls, Dad. It’s normal to wear your best friend’s clothes."

He followed her up the stairs. "Hmm. I see."

They climbed in comfortable silence for a moment. "On a scale of one to ten," he asked, "how tired are you?"

She looked back at him. "Why?"

"So I know if you’re up for a little chat or not."

She smiled. "I’m always up for a chat with you. We can chat until I fall asleep."

"Good," he said.

"What about Mom?" She asked curiously, wondering if she was fast asleep.

"She is having a virtual meeting with her staff," he explained.

"This late?" Emily asked.

"Yes. Yeah. They’re working on a project."

Emily laughed. "So you were just looking for company because your wife is busy."

He placed a hand on his chest, pretending to be hurt. "That’s not true. I wanted to talk to my number one daughter."

She rolled her eyes. "If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were talking about position in your heart. But I know you mean hierarchy."

He laughed. "Who do you think my favourite daughter is?"

"You don’t have a favourite," she said easily. "You love us all the same."

He nodded. "Good. I’m glad you know that." He grinned. "But you must know you hold a special place in my heart. First child perks."

"I know," she said warmly.

They reached her bedroom door. "Do you want to come in?" she asked.

"Yes," he said and walked in with her.

Emily went into the bathroom to freshen up while he lay back on her bed.

He turned to look at her when she returned in her pyjamas after freshening up.

"So," he said as he watched her sit in front of her dresser, "how are you doing? What do you think about your program so far?"

Emily stopped applying the serum to her face. She sat there for a moment, thinking about her talk with Callan in the car.

"I was thinking of quitting," she confessed quietly.

Her father sat up at once. "What? Why?"

She went to sit at the edge of the bed. "I don’t think I qualify."

He frowned. "I beg your pardon?"

"Everyone else worked so hard to get there," she said. "And it was handed to me because you donated money. It makes me wonder if you thought I wouldn’t get in on my own."

He blinked. Then his face grew serious.

"Is that really what you think of me?" he asked gently. "That’s how you think I see you?"

She shrugged. "I don’t know. But it bothers me."

He reached for his phone. "Read this."He opened his emails and handed her the phone.

She stared at the screen. "What’s this?"

"The email they. They reached out to me themselves. They wanted you to join the program."

Her brows pulled together. "But you said you pulled some string."

He shrugged. "Only because I wanted to sound cool," he said with a small smile. "But they contacted me first. They read the medical journal we published together. They were impressed by how you wove it into a story."

She looked at him, surprised.

"And even if that wasn’t the case," he continued, "there is nothing wrong with a parent opening doors for their child. If you were in my shoes, wouldn’t you do the same for your child?"

She hesitated. "Maybe."

"The program will help you," he said. "Especially with the role you’ll take later. It will make the board trust you more when it’s time for you run the hospital."

She sighed. "Do you really have to step down from being the medical director?"

He laughed. "I hope to retire soon. I want time to tour the world with my lovely wife."

She wrinkled her nose playfully. "Ew."

He chuckled. "So, do you have any man in your life?"

She raised a brow. "How did we get to this subject?"

"We got here talking. Who is Dr Dan?"

She laughed. "Just a friend. I don’t know what Callan told you, but Dan is just a friend. I have no idea why you’d remember his name."

He shrugged. "If he drove you to a party, I have to know his name."

Emily rolled her eyes. "Then do you need the name of all the Uber drivers I know?"

"Only those that give you a ride for free," he said, and she laughed.

"So, how are you getting along with Callan?" he asked.

"We’re okay."

"Just okay? I’m surprised you haven’t killed each other yet."

"We’re not kids. We can be reasonable," she said dryly.

He smiled. "I’m glad to hear that."

She paused, then narrowed her eyes. "Did Mom tell you anything?"

"Is there something you asked her to tell me?"

She shook her head. "Nah. Never mind."

"By the way, shouldn’t you check if Callan got home safely? Or wasn’t he the one who dropped you off?"

"I was planning to," she said. "After you leave."

He raised a brow. "Is that your way of chasing me out?"

She laughed. "I wouldn’t dare. You can stay. I’ll go."

He shook his head as he rose. "I remember when you were little and wanted me to sleep in your room."

"That was forever ago," she said with a giggle. "If you want company so bad, go be with Emily Two," she said, referring to her sister, whose nickname was Emily Two.

He laughed. "So... are you still quitting the program?"

"Would you be okay if I quit?"

He considered it for a moment. "I’d be fine," he said honestly. "But for your sake, I hope you don’t."

She smiled. "Then I’ll do it."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead before heading for the door. "Good. Good night."

After he left, Emily picked up her phone and dialled Callan.

"Did you get home?" she asked.

"Just did," Callan said, still feeling the excitement from the kiss.

"Okay. Good night."

"Wait," he said.

"Yes?"

"Are you going to bed now?" He asked.

"Yeah," she said with a yawn.

"Alright. I love you," Callan said, then the call ended.

Emily giggled as she dropped the phone on the bed. She kicked her legs in the air and smiled as she drifted off to sleep.