Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 331: Dawn Hank

The morning sun was soft and warm on Abigail’s skin as she sat on the front steps of Jamal’s house. The stones under her felt cool. The breeze was light. It pushed tiny leaves across the wide, green lawn.

Josh was running in circles on the grass. He laughed every few seconds as he chased a butterfly that kept dancing out of his reach.

Abigail smiled at him, even though her chest felt tight in a way she did not fully understand.

She lifted her phone and tapped the video-call button. It rang twice before Dr. Diana’s face filled the screen, her bright eyes, soft smile, hair pulled back like always.

Although it was late over there in Husla, Dr Diana had responded to her text two hours ago, asking her to call at 11 a.m., Abigail’s time.

"Abigail!" Diana gasped. "Oh my goodness! I couldn’t believe it when I got your text. I’ve been trying to figure out how to reach you! After that video Ryan Harris made... and then the news of his death... and then Genevieve’s video... I didn’t know how to contact you."

Abigail blinked, surprised. Then she gave a small laugh. "I forgot you use social media too and that you’d see all the news there."

Diana’s face softened. "Of course, I saw everything. How are you feeling, sweetheart?"

Abigail took a slow breath. The air felt heavy in her throat. "I don’t know," she admitted quietly. "I have... mixed feelings. So many things inside me at once. But I’m trying to only focus on the good ones right now. I feel it’d be easier if I ignored the negative emotions and focus on the positive ones."

Her eyes followed Josh as he jumped and fell on the grass, giggling.

"And right now the strongest feeling I have is love," she said in a small voice. "Because I’m getting so much of it here from everyone. They’re all so good to me. And they’re so many," she added with a small breathy laugh. "It’s like one huge clan. You know, different families in one. When I arrived it was so overwhelming being surrounded by so many lovely and lovely people and I’m told I haven’t even met all of them yet."

Her voice wavered. Her smile trembled. "And I just keep wondering how my life would have been if Ryan had let the Hanks take me after he killed my mother instead of keeping me. If I had grown up here. With all this love. With all these people." Her voice cracked mid-sentence and her face crumpled as a sob tore through her before she could stop it.

Dr. Diana did not look alarmed. She only nodded slowly, kindly. "Abby," she said in a soft voice, "let’s focus on the positive feelings. Let’s focus on what is, and not what could have been. There are things you can change, and some you can’t. You can’t change what happened to you, but you can redirect the course of your life and determine what happens now. No matter what happened to you, you grew up well. You are kind, beautiful, and gentle. You survived. That’s all that matters."

Abigail wiped her face with her hand, trying to smile again. "I know. I know all of that up here in my head, but it’s not just easy."

Diana tilted her head. "Now tell me more about this Josh. He’s with you, right?"

Abigail’s eyes lit up. "Yes. And guess what? I found his Dad." Her cheeks warmed a little.

"The one-night stand guy? You did? How?" Diana asked excitedly.

Abigail laughed at her excitement, "yes," she said, and then she began telling Diana everything— how they met again, how he had been with her and helped her meet her family, how good he was with Josh, how safe she felt around him, how everything changed so fast thanks to him.

Diana listened with her chin resting in her hand, smiling like a proud aunt.

"Talk about destiny. I’m so happy for you," she said softly when Abigail finished. "So much has happened, but all the recent things, they’re good things."

Then she paused and raised one brow.

"So... should I be calling you Dawn now?" she asked with a teasing smile.

Abigail laughed. "Everyone here calls me Dawn now. And I love it. So, yes. You can call me Dawn."

"Do you think of yourself that way? In your head, are you Dawn or Abigail? Who are you?" Diana asked softly. "I’m not asking what people call you or who they think you are. Who do you think you are?"

She was silent for a moment, then she exhaled deeply. "I am Dawn. Abigail is the timid and weak version of me that Ryan created, but I am Dawn. Dawn Hank is the lover and cherished version of me. It is the original me that survived despite all she had been through."

Diana nodded and then smiled at her. "Good. I hope you think of yourself as Dawn going forward. It’s nice to meet you, Dawn Hank."

Dawn smiled. "It’s nice to meet you too, Dr Diana."

"Well," Diana said, nodding with mock seriousness, "don’t forget to invite me to your wedding when you marry Jamal."

Dawn laughed. "You’ll be the first to know when the time comes. Will you be my matron of honour then?"

Diana burst into warm laughter. "Oh, I’m sure you have many wonderful women in your life now who can take that role. I’ll be more than happy just watching my young friend get married."

Then she added, "By the way, it’s such a small world. I’ve heard of the Hanks. My friends are friends with them."

Dawn blinked. "Really? Which of your friends?"

"Well," Diana said casually, "Mia and her husband, Jeff, are in charge of I-Global Entertainment Agency in Sogal and they’re pretty close to the Hank family. And my friend Alex, he’s the one whose contact got you those ultra-realistic masks. He’s married to Andy, the sensational singer. She’s one of I-Global’s biggest talents and she is close to the Hanks."

Dawn’s eyes widened. "Oh! It’s a small world indeed. Aunt Andy is Jamal’s aunt and one of his favourite people. I’ve not met her yet. No wonder Jamal said your husband’s name sounded familiar when I mentioned it."

Diana laughed. "Well, any businessman would know my husband’s name."

Dawn grinned. "By the way, thanks for helping me get Josh’s birth certificate," Dawn said, then she called out loudly, "Josh! Come say hello to Mommy’s friend!"

Josh stopped chasing the butterfly and ran over to sit beside her. He waved at the screen.

"Hello, I’m Josh!" he said in his happy voice, a warm smile on his face.

Diana instantly melted. "Ohhh hello, sweetheart! I’m Diana. You look so adorably precious!"

Josh beamed.

After a little chat, they said their goodbyes and ended the call.

Dawn stood up and took Josh’s hand as they walked back into the house. Her heart felt a little lighter.

When they got inside, she left Josh in the living room watching the television while she stood in front of the mirror in Jamal’s bedroom.

"I’m Dawn. Dawn Hank," she told herself, smiling at her reflection in the mirror.

The name filled her with newfound confidence and boldness.