Chapter 275: Stefan Kirk
Genevieve tilted her head back, her tears flowing like a river. She could barely believe what was happening right now. This wasn’t the way she expected it to go. "Why are you being so calm? Why aren’t you mad at me?"
To say that Stefan was mad would be an understatement. He was so furious he wanted nothing more than to beat the crap out of Ryan for pulling such a ridiculously selfish move, but he knew that if he so much as let his anger show, it’d scare Genevieve, and she would think the anger was directed at her, so he maintained a calm demeanor.
"You’re causing a scene, Viv," he whispered against her hair, steadying her trembling body. "Calm down first. We’ll go home and talk."
Her eyes darted around as if she only just realized they were in public. True to his words she realized that people were staring openly now. Some were pointing, some whispering, and more than a few had their phones out, recording.
Her stomach twisted. She wanted to disappear. In a reflex move, she hid her face in Stefan’s chest, and the urge to protect her and shield her from this overwhelmed him.
He kept his arm around her, firm and protective before looking at their audience. "Please you’re all making my girlfriend uncomfortable. And it is rude to take out your phone to record a person’s low moment. I thought the people here were better than this. I hope I do not see a single video of this anywhere, because if I do, I will make sure I trace the source and I’ll file charges," Stefan said coldly, making sure to make eye contact with each of them before guiding Genevieve forward.
Every step he took was sure, his body shielding hers, as if telling the world without words: ’She’s mine. Don’t touch her.’
At the counter, he spoke to the cashier with ease, as though nothing was wrong. "Please have these groceries delivered to the Jonas Villa," he said, leaving behind the list he had made, the cart forgotten at the spot where he’d caught up with her.
The cashier nodded quickly, eyes darting between Stefan and Genevieve with a mix of curiosity and awe.
Stefan gave a small polite smile, then turned back to Genevieve, who was shaking silently, tears still clinging to her lashes. He tucked her close against him and led her out of the store, ignoring the eyes that followed them.
The walk back to the villa was quiet. Genevieve continued to cry silently, her heart racing with thoughts of the confrontation she knew would happen when they got to the villa.
She knew that he was a good man and was only being this way with her in public because he didn’t want to embarrass her.
There was no way he wasn’t mad at her when he had just found out that the Abigail she had been preventing him from meeting was the real Dawn.
She felt so ashamed of herself that she wanted to crawl under a rock and hide.
Her mind replayed her father’s voice over and over. ’Not related to me in anyway... adopted... not Dawn... not my heir.’
Her heart ached that her father would do something like that to her. What made him do it without warning her first? And why did he look like he was sick and connected to a heart monitor? Perhaps he tried to reach her but her phone was off?
Whichever the case was, she knew she was going to have to go back home after talking to Jamal. Their getaway was over before it even started.
Her plan to reveal the truth and run away was ruined. Now that the truth had come from Ryan, she needed to face Abigail and apologize to her properly. But that was after she apologized to Jamal for deceiving him all this while.
Her throat burned. More tears slid down her cheeks before she could stop them. She bit her lip hard, wishing he would let go of her hand so she could run instead of this little stroll they were taking. She wished they would hurry and get it over with.
She wondered what was running through his mind. She wished he would say something instead of just hold her this way like he’d not just learned that she was a liar and an impostor.
Stefan didn’t say anything, though his hand remained firm around her shoulder. He was trying to think of the best way to handle things now that Ryan had ruined his plans.
When they reached the Jonas Villa, Stefan opened the door and led her inside.
Genevieve frowned when he led her to the dining and made her sit, then he went into the kitchen and returned with a glass of cool water.
"Here. Drink," he said, and she turned to him, her eyes wide and wet.
"Why are you acting like this isn’t a big deal? Didn’t you see the news? Didn’t you hear what he said? I’m not who I said I was! I lied to you. I let you think—" Her voice broke. She covered her face with her hands, shaking. "You should be yelling not offering me a glass of water."
Stefan stepped closer, peeling her hands gently away from her face. His eyes locked on hers, steady and sure.
"I always knew," he confessed.
She blinked, stunned. "You did? How? But—"
"You’re shaking like a leaf. First have a drink and calm down. We are going to talk, but only when you’re calm," he said softly.
Genevieve took the glass and she sipped from it before setting it down, her heart racing with so many thoughts and questions.
Stefan took the seat next to her and turned it so that he sat facing her, then he turned her seat too so she would face him.
"Look at me," he said.
She tried, but her tears made her vision blur. Her chest heaved and her lips wobbled. "I would have told you tonight. At first I was going to tell you at the end of the trip. I just wanted to enjoy your company this week before opening up. And then after last night and breakfast I thought I couldn’t bear to keep lying to you so I was going to tell you the truth. I swear to you I—"
"I believe you," he cut in softly.
"You do?" She asked doubtfully, and he nodded.
"I do."
"If you knew I lied why didn’t you say anything? Don’t you mind that I’m not Dawn? How did you know I lied?" She asked, and Stefan sighed softly.
"I lied too," he said, and her brows pulled together.
"You lied? About what?"
"About my identity. I’m not who you think I am. I’m not Jamal Jonas. I’m his personal assistant. My name is Stefan. Stefan Kirk."