Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 474: Daughter in-law

Callan opened his arms. “Mom—”

Delilah walked straight past him without even looking at him as she went directly to Emily.

“My dear!”

Emily laughed in surprise as Delilah wrapped her in a warm hug. “It’s so good to finally have you here this way.”

Emily hugged Delilah tightly. “I’ve missed you.”

Callan stood frozen beside the car with a scowl on his face.

“Excuse me?”

Just then, another pair of arms wrapped around Callan.

“Welcome home, sweetheart,” Jessica said warmly.

Callan laughed. “What is going on?”

Delilah smiled innocently as she broke the hug and turned to Callan. “I’m welcoming my future daughter-in-law home.”

“And I’m welcoming my future son-in-law,” Jessica said with a grin.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Callan shook his head with amusement. “We are not even engaged yet.”

“Is that really what you think? The ring only makes it official, darling. As far as both families are concerned, you’re engaged.”

Emily laughed as she hugged her own mother tightly.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

Jessica held her at arm’s length before smiling.

“You look extra beautiful than the last time. Cal must have been taking good care of you.”

Emily snorted. “I look more stressed than the last time.”

Her mother smiled as she gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“My darling, you can look stressed and still be beautiful.”

“I told her,” Callan said immediately.

Emily looked at him. “You don’t count.”

Callan turned to his mother, “Did you hear your future daughter-in-law? Do you really want a daughter-in-law who says your precious son doesn’t count to your face?”

Everyone laughed.

Before another word could be said, the front door flew open again.

“EMILY!”

Mari burst outside at full speed.

Emily barely had time to react before Mari hugged her tightly.

“I’ve missed you.”

Emily laughed. “Having a boyfriend has made you really soft.”

Mari rolled her eyes as she embraced Callan, then kissed his cheeks. “Glad you finally stopped being an onion.”

“An onion? What’s that?” Callan asked in confusion.

“Emily’s tearjerker,” Mari said with a grin, making the ladies laugh while Callan scowled.

“Why are you bringing that up?”

“Because Emily is glowing now and I’m proud of you,” Mari said, patting his head.

Callan glared at her while everyone else laughed.

A second later, Dawn appeared in the doorway wearing a bright smile.

“Emily!” She called with a wave, then walked over and hugged Emily warmly.

Emily hugged her back.

Then she pulled away to hug Callan too. “It’s so good to have you both here.”

“You realise this is my home, right?” Callan asked with a teasing smile.

“By here, I meant Ludus, not here literally, dum dum,” Dawn said, and everyone laughed.

Emily looked around. “So…” She rubbed her hands together. “What can I do?”

Delilah immediately shook her head. “Nothing.”

“But—”

“No.” Jessica smiled. “We’re almost done.”

Emily looked unconvinced. “I can help.”

“You can,” Delilah agreed.

“Really?”

“Yes.” Delilah smiled warmly. “You can go upstairs, freshen up, then come down to eat something.”

Everyone laughed.

Emily laughed too. “I knew there was a catch.”

“There always is,” Callan said.

“Let’s go in. We have a lot of catching up to do,” Mari said as she linked her arm with Emily’s and Dawn’s, then pulled them with her into the house.

Away from there, soft music played through the speakers as Lucy drove steadily through the streets of Ludus.

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, bathing everything in a warm golden glow.

Genevieve sat in the passenger seat with both hands resting on her lap as she looked out the window, excited to be out of the house for a change.

Lucy and Delilah had decided they would have a meeting at Delilah’s to discuss the final plans for the wedding and give her a change of scenery.

Lucy glanced at Genevieve and smiled. “So…”

Genevieve turned toward her.

“How does it feel?” Lucy asked.

“How does what feel?”

Lucy gave her a look. “Getting married in two days.”

Genevieve’s smile slowly widened. Then she leaned her head back against the seat. “It feels…”

She searched for the right word. “…unreal.”

Lucy smiled quietly.

Genevieve looked out of the window as buildings drifted past. “I’m excited.” A small laugh escaped her. “But I’m nervous too.”

Lucy glanced at her briefly before returning her attention to the road.

“Nervous about marrying Stefan?”

Genevieve laughed immediately. “No.”

“Good answer.”

They both laughed.

Lucy asked gently, “So what are you nervous about?”

Genevieve became quiet. After a moment, she shrugged lightly. “I don’t know what happens after the wedding.”

“Well, I know. You go on your honeymoon and live happily ever after,” Lucy joked.

Genevieve laughed.

Silence settled comfortably between them for a moment.

Then Genevieve sighed softly. “I’m still hiding.”

Her smile faded just a little.

“The whole world still thinks I’m dead. I have to be careful about being recognised.” She looked down at her hands. “I don’t even know how long I’ll have to keep pretending.”

Lucy remained quiet, allowing her to continue.

“I feel as though I have no right to feel this way. Maybe it’s my karma for all that happened with Dawn.”

Lucy’s brow arched. “Are you saying that because you think it’s what we think about your situation or because you really feel this way?”

Genevieve shrugged but said nothing.

“If you think it’s what we feel, then I’m afraid the purpose of your living with us has been defeated. What is done is done. It’s past. We only look forward. So forget the karma talk and tell me what’s really bothering you.”

A small smile touched her lips, and she sighed deeply.

“As much as I love the idea of focusing on Stefan and our home, I don’t know what I’ll do with myself until everything comes out.”

She looked out of the window again. “The last couple of days have been hell.”

“Wow. I didn’t know my home was hell,” Lucy joked.

Genevieve laughed softly. “What I mean is that I’ve never had to stay indoors this way. I don’t know how to just… stay home.”

Lucy reached across the centre console and gently patted her arm.

“Although, unlike you, I’m an introvert…”

“You? An introvert?” Genevieve cut in incredulously, making Lucy laugh.

“Well, I was until Tom and this clan happened to me. But my point is, I understand how you feel. And trust me, you won’t have to wait much longer.” Lucy smiled reassuringly. “Tom and Harry are working on something. They’ve been making plans since the incident.”

Genevieve nodded slowly. “Thank you.”

Lucy smiled. “And until everything is revealed, there’s still plenty you can do to keep busy, like working remotely at the foundation.”

Genevieve looked at her hopefully. “Really?”

“Yeah. I know it’s not the same as going out, but you can be useful to yourself. You can plan new projects, write articles, be an online mentor, etc.” Lucy smiled warmly and squeezed Genevieve’s arm gently. “The world has changed, sweetheart. You don’t always have to be physically present to make a difference.”

Genevieve smiled. “I never thought about it that way. I thought the offer would be pending until the issue was resolved.”

Lucy looked ahead and a grin slowly spread across her face as she suddenly pointed ahead.

“Oh.” She grinned mischievously. “Look at that.”

Genevieve frowned. “What?”

Lucy kept smiling. “Just look. I think that’s for you.”

Genevieve turned toward the windshield. At first, she saw nothing unusual. Then her eyes widened.

A large, beautifully decorated sign stood proudly just beyond the open gates.

Pink balloons floated on either side. Fresh flowers framed the edges. Golden ribbons danced gently in the breeze.

Across the middle were the words—WELCOME TO YOUR BRIDAL SHOWER

Genevieve’s hand flew to her mouth as she gasped.

“What…” She blinked rapidly. “What is that?”

Lucy laughed. “What does it look like? Can you not read anymore?”

Genevieve continued staring. “I…” She looked from the sign back to Lucy. “Who is that for?”

Lucy pretended to frown. “It says welcome to your bridal shower. Am I the one getting married in two days?”

Her mouth slowly fell open as realisation slowly dawned.

Genevieve looked back at the sign then back at Lucy. Her eyes had already become glassy.

“Dawn planned this too, didn’t she?”

Lucy giggled. “Of course.”

Genevieve blinked rapidly. “I don’t even know what to say.”

Lucy smiled fondly. “I didn’t ask you to say anything. It’s not an award ceremony.”

She slowed the car slightly as they turned through the gates.

“You have less than five minutes to compose yourself.” She nodded towards the house in the distance. “Because there is a house full of ladies waiting to welcome the bride.”

Genevieve stared at the beautifully decorated house growing closer with every passing second, then looked back at Lucy.

She just couldn’t believe something as wonderful as this was happening to her. She couldn’t believe they were gathering this way to throw her such a surprise.

Her heart began pounding so hard she could hear it.

She let out a shaky breath. “I think I’m going to cry.”

Lucy smiled knowingly. “I know.”

Genevieve broke into a sob just before Lucy parked the car near the front entrance.