Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 439: Jamal Definitely

”Good morning, sir. I was just about to call you,” Genevieve said the moment the call connected.

Tom sounded surprised on the other end. ”That’s funny because I called to talk to you too.”

Genevieve turned her back to Stefan. ”Then since you called first, you should speak.”

”Ladies first,” Tom replied warmly.

Stefan adjusted on the bed so he could see her face.

Genevieve smiled awkwardly before biting lightly on her lower lip.

”I actually wanted to apologize for what happened at your hotel because of me.”

Immediately Tom said firmly, ”There’s nothing to apologize for.”

Genevieve blinked in surprise.

Tom continued calmly, ”Better my hotel than your life. Properties can be rebuilt and replaced. Family can’t.”

Family?

Her throat tightened instantly and tears sprang instantly into her eyes.

Stefan immediately sat up straighter beside her. ”What did he say?” He mouthed, wondering why she looked like she was about to cry.

Did Tom say something wrong?

Tom exhaled softly on the other end. ”I’ve been wanting to call since I heard you survived,” he admitted quietly. ”I was trying to find the right words. I would’ve waited until you returned home but... some words shouldn’t wait too long.”

Tom’s voice softened further.

”I’m sorry for not looking out for you the way I should have. When I first heard the news I felt really sad and guilty that something might have happened to you because I failed to protect you as I should have.”

A tear slipped down Genevieve’s cheek immediately.

Stefan frowned with concern.

Tom continued quietly, ”I know we started off on the wrong foot. But both I and the rest of the family hope to do better by you going forward... if you let us.”

Genevieve covered her mouth briefly as more tears filled her eyes.

”I’m sorry,” she whispered brokenly. ”I’m sorry for everything.”

”I didn’t call so you could apologize or feel guilty. We’ve all long forgiven you,” Tom said gently. ”I called so you’d know we are sorry, and we’ll do our best to keep you safe. You may not be Hank by blood, but we’ve known and loved you long enough even from the distance for you to be one of us.”

Genevieve shut her eyes tightly.

Tom continued softly, ”You don’t have to stay away from us anymore. You’re welcome to be part of the family.”

Genevieve broke into tears completely then.

”I’d really love that,” she admitted shakily.

”Good,” Tom replied warmly. ”Then we will see you when you return home.”

Genevieve nodded quickly even though he couldn’t see her. ”Thank you.”

Then Tom added casually, ”Now give the phone to Stefan.”

Genevieve wiped at her tears before handing the phone to him.

Stefan took it cautiously.

”Hello, sir.”

”I heard about the nonsense you were spewing,” Tom said immediately.

Stefan winced. Why couldn’t Jamal ever keep stuff to himself? Or was it Uncle Harry this time?

Tom sighed heavily. ”Unnecessary pride will get you nowhere. And I hope I don’t need to remind you that you’re with Genevieve today mostly because of her connection to the family. We all loved her and watched her grow. We may have been hard on her after we found out the truth, but that doesn’t mean we do not care about her. So, you can love her all you want, but don’t try to shut us out from her life.”

Stefan rubbed the back of his neck silently. ”I understand. I’m sorry, sir,” Stefan admitted quietly.

”Instead of apologizing, get your head straight and sit up,” Tom replied firmly, then added, ”Let me also say, I commend you for having the initiative to protect her the way you did.”

”Thank you, sir.”

”I’ll keep in touch. You better do too.”

Then the call ended.

Stefan lowered the phone and looked at Genevieve.

Genevieve immediately smiled at him. ”What did he say?”

Stefan narrowed his eyes slightly. ”You first. Tell me what he said to you.”

”He said... I’m welcome in the family.” Her voice broke as she told him all Tom had said. ”First Harry saying he was happy I’m alive... now Tom.”

Fresh tears filled her eyes again. ”I could die happy now.”

Stefan immediately pulled her tightly against his chest. ”You better not dare die,” he muttered against her hair.

Genevieve burst into happy laughter through her tears and hugged him tightly back.

Stefan held her for a long moment before finally pulling away slightly.

”Come on,” he said softly as he brushed off her tears. ”Finish eating before everything gets cold.”

A small smile still rested on her lips as she picked up her fork again.

Stefan watched her quietly. Something about seeing her this happy made his chest feel lighter too.

They finished breakfast slowly while feeding each other, talking and laughing softly between themselves.

When they were done eating, Genevieve stretched lazily on the bed afterward. ”I don’t want to move.”

Stefan chuckled as he picked up the empty plates. ”You don’t have to. I’ll do the dishes and join you shortly.”

Genevieve got off the bed. ”Let’s do it together. It’s more fun that way.”

A little while later, both of them stood side by side in the kitchen.

Genevieve rinsed the plates while Stefan dried them with a towel.

Soft music played quietly from one of the speakers in the living room. The entire house felt safe and peaceful.

Genevieve smiled softly to herself as warm water ran over her fingers. She couldn’t believe that life turned out this way for her.

This was the kind of life she had always wanted for herself.

She’d found love in Stefan, and she had a home in him. And now she had people she could call her family.

Stefan glanced sideways at her and smiled faintly when he noticed the dreamy look on her face.

”What are you thinking about?”

Genevieve looked up at him and smiled. ”Nothing.”

”That’s a lie.”

She laughed softly. ”Doing something so ordinary as dishes with you feels like a dream come true. I’m just happy.”

His chest warmed again at her words.

Before he could respond, his phone suddenly rang on the counter.

Stefan glanced at the screen.

”Dawn,” he said.

Genevieve brightened immediately. ”I’ll take it,” she said, drying her hands quickly to pick up the phone.

Stefan laughed softly as he watched her answer the call.

”Dawn!”

”Genny!” Dawn sounded genuinely excited. ”How are you?”

Genevieve smiled brightly. ”I’m okay.”

”I just wanted to hear your voice again because honestly yesterday still feels unreal. I was starting to wonder if I dreamed the whole thing.”

Genevieve laughed softly. ”You definitely didn’t dream it.”

”Thank God,” Dawn sighed dramatically.

Genevieve laughed again. ”How are you? And how is Josh?”

Dawn responded and they talked about Josh for a little while before Genevieve said excitedly, ”Dawn, will you be my maid of honor? We’re planning to get married when we return to Ludus.”

There was silence on the line for one second.

Then Dawn giggled. ”If you had asked someone else instead of me, I would have abducted the person,” Dawn declared dramatically.

Genevieve laughed happily. ”Thank goodness I didn’t ask anyone else.”

”And just so you know,” Dawn continued, ”when I get married, you’ll be my maid of honor too.”

Genevieve smiled warmly. ”That would be amazing.”

”Oh my God,” Dawn kept rambling excitedly. ”We’re going to have so much fun planning everything. We should probably start planing now so that we will have everything in place by the time you get back. Or should the reception venue be the airstrip? That way you can just walk down the aisle right from the plane,” Dawn joked.

Genevieve giggled loudly. ”Say that again. I want Stefan to hear you,” she said as she put the call on speaker.

Dawn laughed as she repeated why she said, and Stefan laughed out loud with Genevieve.

”Maybe that’s not such a bad idea,” Stefan said. ”I like it!”

”No way,” Dawn and Genevieve said in unison.

”Women,” Stefan said, shaking his head.

Genevieve’s smile widened as she leaned against the counter.

”Hello, Stefan. Genny, please give the phone to my future brother-in-law.”

Genevieve laughed and handed the phone to Stefan.

Stefan took it with amusement. ”Hello?”

”So you’re really going to become my brother-in-law?” Dawn asked dramatically.

Stefan chuckled. ”Looks like it.”

”I’d like your opinion on something. Can you remove the phone from speaker?”

Genevieve raised a brow suspiciously as Stefan took a few steps away from her and removed the phone from speaker.

”Sure. Go on.”

Dawn lowered her voice immediately. ”So... have you officially proposed yet?” Dawn whispered excitedly.

Stefan blinked. ”What?”

Dawn giggled, ”Do you want to organize some romantic surprise indoor proposal when you both get back? Because if you do, I can totally help you arrange everything.”

Stefan chuckled softly. ”Really?”

”Yeah. I get that you can’t answer properly because she’s there with you right now. So, if you want me to help you plan it, say Jamal’s name. If you don’t, say your own name.”

Stefan laughed again then shook his head with amusement. ”Jamal definitely.”

Dawn squealed loudly on the other end.

”Okay. Call me whenever you’re free to talk alone so we can plan everything properly. I’ll start making arrangements on my end.”

Stefan laughed softly. ”Okay. Thank you.”

After ending the call, he turned back toward Genevieve.

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. ”What was that about?”

Stefan smiled innocently as he picked up another plate. ”Nothing.”

Genevieve folded her arms.

”Stefan Kirk.”

He chuckled softly. ”It was just about Jamal.”