Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 420: Long Day

When the door closed behind her, he let out a long breath as relief washed over him.

He had thought he might have to exert force to get her to leave him alone, but he was glad that his words got to her.

He smiled as he returned to his seat, then he picked up his phone, wanting to call Emily to let her know what had just happened.

But before he could do that, his phone rang.

Callan answered at once when he saw it was Stefan. "Hey, what’s up?"

"I’m sorry about earlier," Stefan said. "I couldn’t talk."

Callan leaned back in his chair. "What happened? Were you and Jamal held at gunpoint? Because you both sounded very strange."

Stefan smiled on the other end. "No. It’s just... she is alive."

Callan froze. "What?"

"Yeah. She wasn’t in the room when the explosion happened. She’s safe," Stefan said.

Callan sat up straight. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. As serious as a heart attack."

Callan let out a breath. "That’s wonderful news. How is she?"

"She’s okay. She’s here with me."

Callan nodded even though Stefan couldn’t see him. "I guess you couldn’t tell me earlier because you’re trying to keep it a secret. But will it be okay if I tell my mum?" he asked. "She’s been very upset. And I think she will be happy to hear the news."

Stefan glanced at Genevieve, who was smiling as she listened to their conversation. "Yeah. Genevieve wanted to call her. But we thought we should tell you first."

Callan nodded. "I understand."

"It has to remain a secret between us though," Stefan said. "Until the people behind this are caught."

Callan hesitated, then asked. "I can’t tell Emily too?"

Stefan paused when he remembered that Emily had sent him a text asking if there was any way she could help. Mari had also sent a text asking how he was doing and saying she was sorry for his loss.

He’d not yet responded to either of their texts, and now he felt like a terrible person for holding back because of his insecurities when they were all showing him such concern.

"You can tell her. But you have to let her know she has to keep it within the circle."

"Sure. She knows how important this is. She will keep it to herself," Callan said, then sighed. "I’m really glad she’s okay. I’m glad you’re okay too. I contemplated flying down to Westend to join you and Jamal."

Stefan smiled at that. "Well, get ready to fly to Ludus soon."

Callan blinked. "Why?"

"To attend our wedding," Stefan said with a chuckle, and Genevieve giggled.

Callan stood up. "You’re both getting married? When?"

"Yes. Immediately we return to Ludus, we will start plans for our wedding. Just within the clan."

Callan laughed in disbelief. "I can’t believe you’re getting married before Jamal and I. Didn’t you both just meet a couple of weeks ago?"

Stefan chuckled. "Unlike you, I know what I want. And nothing is holding me back from going for it."

Callan shook his head with a smile. "Well, you’ve always been like that. I guess congratulations are in order," he added.

"Thank you," Stefan said, grinning happily.

"So when do you plan to call my Mum?" Callan asked. "You know it’s almost Dawn in Ludus," Callan said. Then paused. "You know what? Give me a moment to call her first. I’ll wake her up, then give her a heads up that you’re going to call. You can call her in ten minutes."

"Alright. Thanks, man," Stefan said before Callan hung up.

Callan had a wide smile on his face as he dialed his mother’s number.

It rang, then she picked up on the fourth ring.

"Sweetheart? Is everything okay? Why are you calling so early in the morning?"

He smiled slightly. "Good morning, Mom. I have news that can’t wait."

She sat up immediately. "What is it? Did you propose to Emily?"

Callan laughed. "Why is that the first thing you think of?"

She smiled. "Because I can’t wait for you to do that."

His voice softened. "I’ll do that when we are ready. Don’t worry."

She sighed. "So why’s this about?"

"It’s about Genevieve," he explained.

She went still, wondering why Callan would call her first thing in the morning to remind her of Genevieve’s death. "What about her?"

"She’s alive."

For a second, his mother did not say anything as she replayed his words in her head.

"What?"

"I’m serious," Callan said. "She’s alive."

She gasped. "Are you joking?"

"I would never joke about that."

Her breath came out slowly. "How is she alive? What happened?"

"She wasn’t in the room," he explained.

"Then who was? According to the news, there was someone there."

"I... didn’t ask," he admitted. "I didn’t remember to ask that."

"Did you talk to her? How did you hear the news?" She asked just as her husband, who had woken up earlier to cover some paperwork in his study, walked into the room.

He looked surprised to see her on the phone. "Who’s that?"

"I’m talking to Callan," she said quickly as she put the phone on speaker. "He said Genevieve is alive."

He paused, then nodded slowly. "That’s a relief," he said as he joined her on the bed and kissed her lip, "Good morning, baby."

"Good morning, love," she said, kissing him back.

Callan smiled on his end of the phone. "I’m still here. Save your mushiness for later."

"If you’ve passed the information, you should get lost and give us some privacy to celebrate the good news," his father said playfully, and they all laughed.

"You will have to hold off on your celebrations because Genevieve is going to call you soon. I asked them to let me call you first," Callan informed them.

"I hope they have the good sense to keep all of this a secret," her husband added.

"Yes," Callan said quickly. "They’re only telling those important to them."

"How can we help them?" His mother asked.

Callan shook his head. "Jamal is there, so I’m guessing Uncle Tom and Uncle Harry are already helping."

"That’s them," she said. "What about us? How can we be of help? If she considers me important enough to share the news with me, then I have to ensure her safety."

"You can ask them when they call you," Callan said gently.

She nodded. "Sure."

"I have to go," Callan said. "I love you both."

"We love you too," they replied before ending the call.

Delilah turned to her husband and hugged him tightly. "I’m so happy she’s alive," she whispered.

He smiled softly. "I’m glad. You looked too sad yesterday. I was worried."

Before she could reply, her phone rang.

She answered quickly when she saw it was a number she was unfamiliar with.

"Hello?"

"Hi... I’m sorry for calling so early—"

"Genevieve?" Delilah cut in.

"Yes, ma’am," Genevieve said softly.

Delilah smiled, her eyes filling with tears. "You can call me anytime," she said. "I’m so happy to hear your voice."

Genevieve smiled. "I’m happy to hear yours too."

"When are you coming back?" Delilah asked quickly. "Do you have to hide for long?"

"As soon as my passport is ready, I’ll be back in Ludus," Genevieve said. "I’ll have to stay hidden until the perpetrators are apprehended."

"I can’t wait to see you, dear," Delilah said. "I’m so glad you’re okay."

"Me too," Genevieve said softly.

"Let me know however I can be of help. I’d love to help you however I can," Delilah offered.

Genevieve hesitated, then said, "Well, Stefan and I intend to get married as soon as we return."

"Oh, really? That’s wonderful!" Delilah exclaimed. "Congratulations to you both."

Genevieve smiled. "Thank you, ma’am. Your sister mentioned that she is an event planner. Do you think she would be able to help us work out something at short notice?"

"Of course. You know what? I’ll take care of it. I’ll meet up with her, and we will give you a call so we can start working out the details like date, venue, and guest list. Oh, this is going to be so wonderful."

Genevieve giggled. "Thank you. You can reach me on this line until I get a new phone."

"I’ll save it right away. Be safe, okay?" Delilah said before hanging up.

Genevieve lowered the phone slowly and looked at Stefan.

"Is it weird that I feel so happy?" she asked, smiling.

He smiled. "It’s not weird at all. You escaped death, and now you’re planning your wedding. I’m happy too."

He pulled her into his arms, and she rested against him.

He kissed her hair gently.

"It’s late," he said softly. "We need to sleep."

She nodded, a small yawn escaping her lips. "Yeah... we should. It’s been a long day."