Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 473: Home

The private jet dipped gently beneath the clouds.

Outside the window, the familiar skyline of Ludus slowly came into view.

The afternoon sun reflected off the glass buildings below, while the river that cut through the city shimmered like silver.

Callan smiled to himself.

Home.

He turned his head to look at Emily, who was sound asleep.

She had curled slightly into her seat sometime during the flight, with a blanket draped over her legs. One hand rested beneath her cheek, and loose strands of hair had escaped her ponytail.

She looked completely worn out.

She had slept through almost the entire flight.

Callan watched her for a few quiet seconds before gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

“Princess.”

He smiled when she made a sleepy sound but didn’t open her eyes.

He leaned closer and kissed her lightly on her lips. “We’re landing.”

Her eyelashes fluttered. “Hm?”

“We’re in Ludus.”

Her eyes slowly opened.

For a moment she simply blinked at him in confusion.

Then realization dawned. “We’re home?”

He nodded.

She sat up and looked out the window.

A smile slowly appeared on her face when she saw the city spread beneath them.

She yawned. “We’re home.”

Callan smiled. “We are.”

Emily stretched, then rubbed both hands over her face. “I slept through most of the flight.”

“Really? I didn’t notice,” Callan said dryly.

She laughed sleepily. “I was tired.”

His face softened. “You still are.”

Since Callan’s public announcement of their relationship, and their first therapy session with the therapist, things had been going pretty smoothly between them and they’d not had any of the usual misunderstandings.

The aircraft touched down smoothly a few minutes later.

Once the aircraft came to a complete stop, Emily stood and straightened her clothes.

She smoothed the wrinkles from her blouse before glancing at herself in the small mirror inside the cabin.

“My face looks puffy.”

“Puffy? Is that the new term for beautiful? I like it.”

She rolled her eyes but giggled before heading toward the small bathroom.

A few minutes later she returned with freshened face, damp hands, and a neater ponytail.

“Better?”

Callan looked at her carefully then grinned. “You look puffier.”

She laughed out loud. “You’re so silly.”

Callan chuckled as he picked up both their bags. “Ladies first.”

Emily smiled as she stepped out of the aircraft.

Warm afternoon air immediately greeted them.

Waiting beside the jet was one of the Quinn family’s longtime drivers.

The older man smiled warmly the moment he saw them.

“Welcome home, Mr Quinn.”

“Thanks for coming to get us, Mr. B.”

The driver nodded respectfully toward Emily.

“Miss Emily.”

“It’s nice seeing you again, Mr B.”

“The pleasure is mine.”

He quickly loaded their luggage into the car before opening the rear door for them.

Soon they were driving away from the airport.

Emily leaned back against the seat and yawned loudly.

Callan looked at her with amusement. “Are you about to doze off again?”

She giggled. “Don’t worry. I won’t.”

“I don’t mind if you do. You still look exhausted,” he said, adjusting in his seat so that she could place her head on his shoulder.

“I am.” She rested her head against his shoulder.

“I don’t like you being so stressed. People like Dan and your Dr Loma should be doing such shifts not a sweet soul like you,” Callan said, making Emily giggle.

“Callan, please.”

Callan looked at her with a straight face. “I’m serious.”

“So a sweet soul shouldn’t work at night?” Emily asked with amusement.

“Nighttime is mostly for nefarious activities. Those two look pretty nefarious. Not you,” he said, making her holler with laughter.

“You’re so silly.”

“So, you said earlier,” he said with a grin.

They were both silent for sometime, then she sighed dramatically.

“I wonder how long this bridal shower is going to take.”

Callan laughed. “You’ve not even reached the house.”

“I know.” A yawn escaped her. “I’m preparing myself mentally.”

She pulled out her phone. “I should let Mari know we’re here.”

Callan nodded.

Emily dialed Mari’s line and barely five seconds passed before the call connected.

Mari practically squealed through the speaker.

“You’ve arrived, finally!”

Emily laughed. “Yeah.”

“I’m already at Cal’s place with Dawn.”

Emily could hear Dawn laughing somewhere in the background.

“We can’t wait for you to get here!”

Emily smiled. “I can’t wait either.”

She yawned again. “I just hope this bridal shower doesn’t take all day.”

Mari laughed. “It won’t. I’ll just call the designer over now.”

Emily groaned. “Mari…”

“It will be quick, don’t worry.”

Emily leaned her head back. “Why am I going through so much stress when it isn’t even my wedding?”

Mari giggled. “Because it’s our friends’ wedding.”

Emily sighed dramatically. “Like I flew all the way here for my enemy’s wedding.”

Mari continued happily. “And when it’s your turn, all of us will gladly go through exactly the same stress for you.”

Emily laughed despite herself. “Indeed. It’s not like you’re going to be flying to a different country or attending my bridal shower after a long overnight surgery.”

“Might not be overnight surgery. It could be overnight something else though,” Mari said in a naughty tone that left no room for confusion.

“Get out of here, you dirty thing!” Emily hissed playfully.

They both laughed before ending the call.

“You sound lively,” Callan observed.

Emily giggled. “You know how Mari can be.” She looked out the window. “I’ve missed her.”

Callan smiled. “I’m sure you have.”

The drive continued peacefully. Soon familiar streets appeared.

Then the car turned onto the long private road leading to Callan’s family house.

The large gates slowly opened ahead.

Emily was still looking out the window when something colorful caught her eye.

Emily suddenly sat upright and clapped her hands like an excited child. “Oh my goodness.”

Callan looked at her. “What?”

She pointed excitedly. “Look!”

At the front entrance stood a large beautifully decorated wooden sign surrounded by fresh flowers.

WELCOME TO YOUR BRIDAL SHOWER

Pink, white, and gold ribbons and balloons fluttered gently in the afternoon breeze.

Her entire face lit up. “Aww. It’s so beautiful.”

Callan couldn’t help smiling as he watched her. “Not as puffy as you, though.”

She giggled and slapped his thighs playfully.

“But look at that!” She kept staring through the window. “I can already imagine Genevieve’s face when she sees this.”

She laughed happily. “She’d likely cry her eyes out like she did during the engagement.”

Callan chuckled. “I think she will.”

Emily smiled to herself. “I wish I could hide somewhere and record her reaction.”

Callan shook his head, amused by how she no longer sounded so exhausted.

The car continued toward the main house.

The moment the car stopped, and they stepped out of the car, the front door opened.

Delilah, Callan’s mother hurried outside, closely followed by Jessica, Emily’s mom.

Both women were smiling.