Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 370: Proof

Emily’s room was bright with sunlight, and her backpack rested by the bed, already zipped, while she sat on her vanity stool, adding finishing touches to her makeup as she got ready to leave for the airstrip.

Emily tilted her head slightly as she brushed mascara onto her lashes with one hand, while she used the other to balance her phone against her mini makeup box, so that she could keep seeing Mari’s face as they talked.

"I can’t believe she’s dead," Emily said, after Mari told her about Diva’s demise. "So, have you heard from Jax yet?" She asked, looking at Mari’s face which filled her phone’s screen.

Mari shook her head. "Not yet. I’m waiting for him to reach out first."

Emily rolled her eyes. "Mari, if you miss him, call him. This isn’t a competition."

Mari rolled her eyes too. "If he misses me, he should call me. Enough about me. Let’s talk about you. You look suspiciously happy," Mari said, narrowing her eyes. "What’s going on?"

Emily smiled, a soft smile that started at the corners of her lips and got all the way up to her eyes. "I kissed Callan," she whispered.

Mari’s eyes widened. "You what?"

Emily laughed, a little embarrassed but also proud of herself. "I kissed him when he dropped me off last night."

Mari burst into laughter. "Just... like that? What happened to all our talk about playing hard to get and making him sweat?"

Emily shook her head. "We both know that was never my thing. I don’t like games. I just want to be happy with him. I believe things will be different this time," Emily said, lowering her voice slightly. "He’s quite different now. He kept talking about marriage last night."

Mari leaned closer to the screen. "Marriage? Emmy, slow down. Isn’t that too soon?"

Emily paused, then shrugged lightly. "What does it matter if it’s ten years from now or ten days from now? It’s still going to be Callan, and I’m going to marry him either way."

"So this is it?"

Emily smiled. "Yes, Mari. This is it. I know what I want. I’ve always known. And he wants the same thing now. He even suggested we go for therapy and couple counselling together. He’s willing to make this work. That matters to me."

Mari studied her face for a moment, then nodded. "As long as you’re happy, you have my total support."

"I am," Emily said softly.

Mari smiled. "Good. That’s good enough for me."

Emily let out a small giggle. "I know this may sound naïve, but I trust him. I really do."

"I trust him, too."

Emily’s smile widened, happy that Mari wasn’t discouraging her.

"So," Mari said, shifting. "Tell me about the club. What did I miss?"

Emily’s eyes lit up. "We played games and danced. I’ll send you pictures. Dawn was hilarious. Genevieve too. Genny is so hot! They are both fun to hang with."

Mari raised a brow. "Genny? So we’re cool with Genevieve now?"

"Definitely," Emily said without hesitation. "Especially since she’s Stefan’s girl. And Stefan looks really serious about her," Emily said, then went on to give her details of their time at the club.

Mari groaned dramatically. "I guess I missed a lot. It’d probably have been best had I gone to the club than gone to see Jax." Mari sighed. "I can’t wait for you to come back next week."

Emily cleared her throat. "Actually... my plan has changed. I won’t be coming back next week. I’m going to stay back and complete the training."

Mari blinked. "Tell me you’re joking."

Emily smiled apologetically. "I’m not."

Mari groaned. "Why are you so unstable?"

"I’m sorry. It’s just that I talked to my dad, and he cleared my doubts."

Mari rolled her eyes. "I doubt it was your father who changed your mind. I can smell Callan all over this decision."

Emily laughed. "I promise it was mostly my dad. Just a little Callan."

"I still don’t believe you," Mari said flatly.

Before Emily could respond, the door to her room opened, and the old housekeeper poked her head in.

"Emily, Callan is downstairs," she announced.

Emily’s heart skipped. "What? What is he doing here? I wasn’t expecting him."

"He said he wants you both to go to the airstrip together. He’s waiting," the housekeeper explained before walking away.

Emily smiled as she grabbed her backpack. "But we agreed to meet there. I guess he couldn’t wait to see me," she said to no one in particular as she headed for the door.

Mari, who was still on the line, watched with disbelief as Emily headed for the door, forgetting her phone. "Are you travelling without your phone? You don’t even want to say goodbye to me?" Mari asked loudly.

Emily laughed as she returned to get the phone. "Oh! Sorry. I forgot about my phone. I have to go."

Mari scoffed. "Wow. You forgot you were on a call with me just because you heard Callan was downstairs. Oh wow."

Emily laughed. "You cancelled your hangout with friends just to see Jax. Oh, wow! Do I look good?" Emily asked, pulling the phone back to give Mari a good view of her face.

"Apart from the fact that you’re grinning like a fool right now, you look good."

"Give me a break," Emily said, laughing.

Mari laughed. "I won’t."

"I have to run now," Emily said. "I’ll call you when I arrive. And don’t disappear again like you did last time."

"I’ll try not to. Love you."

"Love you much more," Emily said before ending the call.

She slung her backpack over her shoulder and hurried out of the room, eager to see Callan.

Downstairs, Callan sat in the living room, dressed in a simple shirt and jeans. He looked relaxed and impossibly handsome. When he saw her, he stood and grinned.

"I wasn’t expecting you," Emily said, smiling as she joined him.

"I figured it’d be a waste to go separately," he replied as he took her backpack from her easily.

"The house feels empty today. Where is everyone?" Callan asked as they walked out together.

"The younger ones went to school. Emily Two went out with her friends," she replied.

"Oh, I see."

Outside, the car waited. Callan opened the car door for her. She slid in and greeted the driver, who she recognised as one of the Quinn family drivers, and Callan sat beside her.

As the car moved, Callan turned to her. "How did you sleep?"

"Very well," she said with a wide smile.

He sighed dramatically. "I didn’t sleep so well," he admitted.

She raised a brow, wondering if he was still having his nightmares. "Why?"

"I kept thinking about that kiss," he whispered.

She looked at him in disbelief for a second, then giggled. "It’s not like that was your first kiss."

"It felt like it. I kept trying to convince myself it wasn’t a dream," he continued. "That you actually kissed me."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "You’re just being dramatic."

"I promise, I’m not," he said seriously.

She laughed. "Well, it wasn’t a dream. I did kiss you."

"I’m going to need proof," he said, and when she raised a brow, he shut his eyes and puckered his lips. "Here," he said, tapping his forefinger on his lips.

She burst into laughter and pushed his face away. "That’s such a silly way to try to get a kiss."

"I’m not trying to get a kiss," he said. "I’m only requesting evidence."

She smiled at him, warmth spreading through her chest as the car rolled toward the airstrip.

"In that case, you should just keep assuming it was a dream," she teased.

He sighed deeply. "Then I guess it was the best dream I’ve ever had. How about you make the dream a reality?"

Emily giggled. "Cut it out, Cal!"

"Fine. I give up," Callan said, and then looked out the window. After a moment, he turned and then pretended to be surprised at something he was seeing on Emily’s window.

Emily caught his expression and turned to check what he was looking at. The moment she turned, Callan inched closer to her.

When she turned back to ask what he was staring at, she came face to face with him, and his lips pressed against hers.

The simple contact sent a small thrill through her chest. She gasped in surprise, then laughed out loud, amused at his petty trick. She pushed him back playfully.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Callan Quinn," she said, smiling at his grinning face.

"I’m feeling quite proud," he said, making her shake her head in amusement.

Soon, they arrived at the airstrip, and the car rolled to a stop near the jet. A few staff members stood nearby, dressed neatly, moving with calm efficiency. The driver stepped out first and opened the door for them.

Callan got out and immediately walked around to Emily’s side. He held the door open and offered his hand. She placed her hand in his without thinking twice.

Together, they climbed the short steps into the jet. Emily stepped inside first and stopped.

"Oh," she breathed.

The inside looked nothing like she expected.

Soft music played quietly in the background. Rose petals were scattered neatly along the aisle and across the plush cream carpet. A small table stood to one side, set with fresh flowers in a crystal vase. Champagne chilled in a silver bucket beside it, and two glasses sat ready.

The seats had been rearranged into a cosy space, facing each other. Soft throw pillows rested against them. The lights were dimmed just enough to make the place feel warm and intimate.

Emily slowly turned around, eyes wide. "Cal..."

He stepped in behind her and placed a hand on her lower back. "I wanted to make your heart flutter. Did I succeed?"

She stared at him, then laughed, shaking her head as she turned away from him. "You’re out of your mind."

She walked a few steps further inside, then ran her fingers lightly over the flower arrangement.

It felt thoughtful and intentional, and she loved it.

"I wanted our trip to start well," Callan said behind her.

She turned to him again, emotion shining in her eyes. "It’s really going to be different this time, isn’t it?"

"Yes," he said without hesitation, placing a hand on his chest. "I promise."

As they sat down together, facing each other. One of the attendants poured the champagne.

Emily wrapped her fingers around the glass but didn’t drink yet. She was still looking around, still taking everything in.

As they lifted into the air, she glanced out of the small window and watched the ground fall away. Ludus grew smaller beneath them.

"I feel like I’m dreaming," she said softly.

Callan grinned, watching her. "Need to prove that it’s not a dream?" He puckered his lips.

She giggled. "Get out of here."

"For real? I should jump out of the plane?" Callan asked, and she smiled at him as she took a small sip of her drink.

"I didn’t think this was ever going to happen again," she said quietly.

"Yet you didn’t move on with someone else," he said, and she shrugged.

"I wanted to. I just couldn’t," she confessed.

Callan held her gaze. "Thank you."

"For what?" she asked.

"For giving me this chance," he said as he reached across the small space and took her hand. His thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles. "For not giving up on me. On us. I don’t deserve you, Princess Emily. You’re far too good for me. You’re much too perfect."

Her chest felt so full she couldn’t speak, so she squeezed his hand back.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the plane steady in the air, the soft music filling the space between them. Emily rested her head against the seat, still letting him hold her hand. She felt calm in a way she hadn’t in a long time.