Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 28 - Five Years Later

Genevieve stood at the edge of the driveway, arms crossed, watching as her father pushed little Josh forward on a tiny red bicycle. The boy wobbled, his feet barely reaching the pedals, but Ryan steadied him with a firm grip on the back of the seat.

Josh giggled, his gold curls bouncing as he turned to look at Ryan. ”Iʼm doing it, daddy!” he squealed.

Ryan chuckled, his face full of pride. ”Yes, you are! Keep your balance now, donʼt rush!”

Genevieve felt her lips tighten. She had never seen her father so patient or look at her with such pride. When she was a child, he had never spent this much time teaching her anything. He had been strict, distant, and cold.

He had always expected her to be perfect without ever showing her how. Yet here he was, laughing and guiding Josh like he had all the time in the world.

What was so special about the kid anyway? Did being born by Dawn make him that special?

”Genny!” Josh greeted with a wave and a wide smile when he sighted her, and without hesitation Genevieve found herself smiling and waving back.

She cussed herself for being unable to resist the kidʼs infectious smile. She really wished she could dislike him as much as she disliked Dawn, but it was hard to do so when he was so adorable.

She cleared her throat. ”Did you call me here to watch you play the perfect dad, or do you actually have something to tell me?”

Ryan glanced at her, then turned back to Josh. ”Alright, thatʼs enough lesson for today. Go inside and ask Nanny to clean you up. Weʼll go for ice cream later.”

Josh beamed and jumped off the bike, ”Thank you, daddy,” he said before running inside without another word.

Ryan watched him with a smile until he disappeared before he finally turned his full attention to Genevieve.

”Letʼs take a walk,” he said, and Genevieve fell in step with him.

”You seem awfully fond of Josh,” she observed.

Ryan smiled at the mention of the kidʼs name. He had had a soft spot for the kid from the moment he set eyes on him.

”You know I am. Is there a reason youʼre pointing it out today?” He asked, sparing her a glance as they walked.

”I donʼt understand how you can love a child who isnʼt your blood that way, yet you never once showed me such affection,” she said honestly.

Ryan shook his head but didnʼt comment on that. Instead he changed the subject, ”You havenʼt forgotten that Abigail will be coming back next week, have you?” he asked, watching her reaction closely.

Genevieve stopped walking and let out a slow breath. ”Is that the reason you sent for me? I still donʼt understand why you are letting her come back. Iʼve spent years proving to you that we donʼt need her. I donʼt need her. The company doesnʼt need her.”

Ryan smirked as he stopped walking and faced her too. ”Do you really think you got this far without her help? Youʼve improved a lot over the years, Iʼll admit that. But letʼs not pretend you did it all on your own. Abigail kept you on your toes, even from a distance. She helped you with school until you graduated, and I know she has been helping you with work as well.”

Genevieve folded her arms tighter. ”So, what? Did you call me here just to remind me that Iʼm not as smart as her and I will always be beneath her? Or is there something else? Maybe you want me to pick her up from the airport like some long-lost princess?”

Ryan laughed softly. ”Now thereʼs an idea. But thatʼs not all...”

”Thereʼs more? Listen, dad, she can keep working from Husla. She doesnʼt need to come back here. Isnʼt it better if she remains hidden away?”

”No. She has been a good girl all this time and I promised to bring her back after she is done with school. I intend to keep that promise. Besides, she needs to be close to Josh even if not as his mother...”

”Ugh! You always complicate things for everyone. First you switch me with Dawn, and now youʼre claiming her son. Why do you keep doing that?”

Ignoring her outburst, Ryan continued, ”I want you to get along with Abigail. I want to believe youʼve outgrown your childish jealousy and petty feelings. Be friends.”

Genevieve rolled her eyes. ”Friends? Why should I be friends with her? Besides, didnʼt you say to avoid being seen with her public?”

Ryan nodded. ”I did. But now she looks a little different and I doubt anyone would make the connection.”

”That doesnʼt explain why I need to be friends with her. Youʼre getting soft in your old age.”

”Maybe. Just make sure you get along with her and make her feel welcomed. While we are on the subject you should know that I plan to hand the company to Josh when the time comes.”

Genevieve stiffened. Her eyes snapped to him in disbelief. ”Youʼre joking.”

Ryan shook his head. ”Did you really expect me to give you all of this? Why should I give everything I labored for to you, just so you can hand it over to some man you marry? Some stranger who has nothing to do with me? Besides you donʼt have what it takes to run the company. It makes more sense for Josh to inherit it all. He bears my name and he has Dawnʼs blood. I know she will guide him properly.”

Genevieve felt her pulse race. ”I canʼt believe you.”

Ryan sighed, rubbing his chin. ”I did all I did for myself. To make a name for myself not for undeserving generations to come. And I didnʼt do it either for you to ruin all Iʼve worked for. Iʼm going to restore the balance when itʼs time. You should be grateful I...”

Genevieve clenched her jaw. ”Grateful?” She let out a bitter laugh. ”You took away my real name, my real life, and now you want to tell me I should be grateful? Grateful when Iʼm not even getting the inheritance I deserve for living her life?”

”Yes, you should be grateful. I gave you everything you could ever need, Genevieve. I made you live as Dawn so you could be recognized as my daughter openly. You got all the benefits that came with being Dawn. Unlike Dawn, who had to stay hidden because I gave your shameful background to her. I saved you from that fate. You should be grateful.”

Genevieve stared at him with a mix of disbelief, hurt and anger, ”These past years Iʼve tried my best to meet up to your expectations and you plan to leave me with nothing? You plan to give it all to that kid? What was the point of all this?”

Ryan lifted a hand before she could continue. ”Donʼt worry. I have other plans for you. Come with me. Thereʼs something I need to show you.”

Although Genevieve was upset, she followed him into the house. Her mind raced with different thoughts as he led her down the familiar halls and into his study.

Ryan walked straight to his seat behind the desk and gestured for her to sit too as he turned on the television.

The screen flickered to life, showing a news report which he had previously recorded. A young female reporter stood in front of a glass building, speaking into the camera.

”Jamal Jonas, the elusive billionaire CEO of HAJ studios, has once again made headlines, securing a top spot on the under-30 billionaire list. His company, HAJ Studios, continues to break records, redefining the industry and setting new standards for success.”

Ryan turned to Genevieve. ”Do you know who that is? Does the name Jamal Jonas ring a bell?”

Genevieve shook her head. ”No.”

Ryan smirked. ”He was the little boy who fancied Dawn. Remember him?”

Genevieveʼs yes widened. The memory hit her instantly. She remembered the cute little boy with gold curls like Joshʼs. Dawn always talked to him on the phone back then and she knew how he looked because she had seen his pictures.

She had secretly been jealous of Dawn back then, wishing she was the one talking to him.

Ryan leaned forward in his seat. ”This is my last gift to you. If you want all these years of living as Dawn to mean something, reach out to him as Dawn. Rekindle what was there. If you marry a billionaire like him, you wonʼt have to worry about what I give to Josh. Everyone wins.”

Genevieve hesitated. ”And what about the Hanks? Wonʼt this blow our cover?”

Ryan shook his head. ”Youʼre reaching out to Jamal, not the Hanks. I doubt they will question your identity after all this time. Besides, you should be able to play your role very well and leave no room for doubts.”

Genevieve thought for a moment. She hated how calculated he was, how he made her life feel like a chess game. But this was a powerful move. If she did this and succeeded at it, she could finally secure her own future and step out of her fatherʼs shadows.

She took a deep breath. ”How do I get in touch with him?”

Ryan smiled. ”Donʼt worry. Iʼm already on it. I will give you what you need.”