Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 409: Room 312

Stefan kept his eyes on the window as the jet lifted into the air. But hedidn’t see anything outside the window.

All he saw was Genevieve.

Genevieve lying on the bed in her red dress. The way she smiled at him through the screen and how she laughed.

He could still hear her voice as they argued over who had missed the other the most.

His chest tightened. He shifted slightly in his seat, his fingers curling against the armrest.

”I’ll sleep better after talking to you,” she’d said.

Stefan swallowed and shut his eyes briefly, then opened again.

No.

She was fine.

She had to be fine.

He had anticipated that she might get into trouble and so he had taken steps to ensure her safety.

He wasn’t going to believe anything else until he checked and confirmed for himself.

Confirm what? That she was dead? Stefan’s jaw tightened at the thought.

”She’s fine,” he hissed, trying to silence the negative voice in his head.

Jamal glanced at him. ”What?”

Stefan shook his head. ”Nothing.”

He turned back to the window.

”She’s fine,” he repeated under his breath, as if saying it enough times would make it true.

Jamal didn’t argue. He just watched him quietly. Feeling sorry for him and also wondering how Dawn was doing.

Hours passed, though it didn’t feel like it. Everything felt heavy and still.

Then the plane began to descend.

As wheels touched the ground at Westend, Stefan leaned forward slightly, his heart beginning to beat faster.

When the door finally opened, warm air rushed in.

Stefan stood up immediately, picking up his backpack and steadying himself before walking out.

Jamal followed behind him silently.

Stefan wasn’t surprised to see that a black SUV was already waiting outside. It was obvious Jamal had made all the arrangements.

Jamal glanced at him as they headed for the car. ”Should we head to I-Global hotel first to check on things or get a hotel?”

Stefan didn’t hesitate. ”I booked a suite at Oak Ridge Hotel. We can stop over there first for you to get a suite and freshen up.”

Jamal looked at Stefan, surprised that he was considering going to freshen up before going to I-Global Hotel to check what had happened.

Considering how he’d been in haste to leave Ludus, Jamal had thought he’d go straight to the crime scene. But then again, Oak Ridge Hotel wasn’t far away from I-Global Hotel so they could easily walk over from there.

Jamal prayed that Stefan wouldn’t break down when he finally confirmed Genevieve’s death. He had no way to console him. He didn’t have the words.

He felt responsible for Stefan’s sorrow since he was the one who had indirectly brought Stefan and Genevieve together.

Jamal nodded. ”Yeah. Let’s do that.”

They got into the car.

The city moved past them quickly. It was noontime and the streets were busy and filled with ordinary people going about their day.

Stefan stared out the window, but nothing stayed in his mind.

All he could think about was Genevieve. When his eyes caught on a restaurant, his heart skipped a beat when he remembered having dinner with Genevieve there during his visit.

”She’s fine,” he told himself again.

Soon the car pulled to a stop in front of Oak Ridge Hotel.

They stepped out and walked inside. The lobby was filled with guests, some of whom they presumed had been cleared and evicted from I-Global hotel following the investigations about the explosion.

They both walked up to the front desk when it was their turn.

”Name?” the receptionist asked politely when she met Stefan’s gaze.

”Stefan Kirk.”

She typed, then paused. Her eyes lifted to his face, and for a brief moment, something unreadable flickered across her expression.

Then she handed him a keycard. ”Room 312.”

Stefan took it without a word and turned to Jamal. ”I will be in my room.”

Jamal watched him leave, with a small frown forming on his face.

Something felt off about Stefan.

”Do you need a suite?” The receptionist asked, calling for Jamal’s attention.

”Yes. Somewhere a suite very close to 312 if possible,” Jamal said and the receptionist gave him a polite nod.

Away from there, Stefan walked quickly down the hallway, his backpack slung over his shoulder.

Room 312.

When he got there, he looked down both sides of the hallway before he opened the door and stepped inside.

The room was quiet and still.

His eyes moved around the space as he closed the door behind him slowly.

The curtains were drawn and the bed was unmade with the sheets slightly crumpled and the blanket on the ground as if someone had thrown it off the bed in haste.

The television was on and the news of the explosion was displayed on it.

His chest tightened as he walked closer slowly.

He picked up the blanket. It was a bit warm. Then he leaned in slightly and inhaled.

A familiar scent lingered.

His heart skipped so hard he thought he’d faint.

”Babe...” he called softly.

Silence answered him.

Then, a soft sound followed as the closet door creaked open.

Stefan turned quickly and watched as she stepped out of the closet.

Pale.

Trembling.

Alive.

For a moment, Stefan couldn’t move.

Neither did she move. She stood there staring at him like she wasn’t sure he was real.

”Viv,” he called softly like he too doubted what he was seeing.

”Stefan...” her voice broke. Then she ran to him.

He caught her immediately, his arms wrapping tightly around her.

She broke into sobs against his chest, clutching his shirt.

Stefan held her just as tightly, his face pressed into her hair as his body trembled.

He breathed her in like she was all the oxygen he needed. Like he needed to be sure she was real.

”You came,” she cried. ”You’re here...”

His eyes burned. ”I thought...” His voice broke.

He couldn’t finish it.

Instead, he held her closer.

”I was so scared,” she cried.

”You’re okay,” he said softly. ”You’re okay...”

She nodded against him, still crying.

And for the first time since he saw the news, Stefan let himself breathe. Because she was alive and she was in his arms.