Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 372: Funny Ending

Tom sat right outside the door while Dawn was inside the office with the therapist.

The therapist had said the first session was for therapist and client bonding and so, Tom was not needed in the office.

Tom had assured Dawn that he would wait at the reception just out side the door until she was done and she could call him if she needed him.

When she stepped out forty minutes later, Tom rose the moment he saw her, and she smiled at him, happy to know he had waited as he promised.

"Thank you for waiting," she said, and Tom smiled.

"That’s not necessary between us. Are you ready to leave now?" He asked, and she bobbed her head.

"Yes. We can leave now."

As they walked out of the office together, Tom looked at Dawn, "How did it go?"

"You know," Dawn said suddenly, laughing, "I think the therapist talks almost as much as I do."

Tom chuckled. "Is that a good or bad thing for you?"

"For me?" she asked, amused.

"Yes," he said easily. "For some people it could be good, because they’d interprete it as the therapist trying to meet them halfway. for others they’d rather the therapist listens. People want different things from people."

Dawn nodded slowly, thinking about it. "You’re right. I guess I fall under the group that likes it. It makes me feel like she is human and relatable. She asked if I needed a hug." Dawn smiled at that. "I didn’t expect that. I thought I’d just sit there and talk and cry while she stared at me and took notes."

"That would scare anyone off. Did you get the hug?"

Dawn shook her head but smiled. "No. I didn’t need it. I’ve gotten so much hug since I got here than I’m sure I’ve ever received in my entire life."

Tom laughed softly. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing for you?"

"It’s good."

"Have I hugged you, though?" Tom asked thoughtfully.

Dawn shook her head. "I’m not sure you have."

Tom stopped walking then, then held out his arms to her. Dawn grinned as she embraced him. Tom held her, one hand on the back of her head and the other on her back.

Dawn exhaled deeply, feeling unusually relaxed and happy.

When they got to the car, Tom held the door open for her to get in, and Dawn thanked him as she sat back in her seat.

Her shoulders were loose, and there was a small smile on her lips that came and went as Tom went round to get into the car.

As Tom drove, he made light comments about traffic and the strange billboards they passed.

By the time they walked into the house, they were talking and laughing about some of the worst ads they’d seen.

Lucy opened the door with a wide grin on her face, "Well," Lucy said brightly, "look at you two bonding so well already after just a couple of hours."

They both laughed, "Blood is thicker than water after all," Tom said as Lucy embraced Dawn.

Lucy’s grin softened as she pulled back to look into her face. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," Dawn said without hesitation.

"Are you sure? I can tell you’ve been enjoying Jamal’s company quite a lot," Lucy teased.

Dawn laughed, her cheeks warming. "I did enjoy being with Jamal. But I missed you all too."

Lucy nodded, pleased. "Good answer."

As they walked toward the den together, Dawn looked around, feeling like she was home. The house felt warm and welcoming.

Lucy dropped onto one of the couches and gestured for Dawn to sit.

"So," Lucy said gently, "how was therapy?"

Dawn smiled. "It was okay. We mostly did introductions."

Lucy tilted her head. "And do you like her?"

"Yeah, I do. I think she’s cool," Dawn replied slowly. "She didn’t just let me do all the talking. She told me about herself too. She told me why she became a therapist."

Lucy smiled knowingly and leaned back. "My therapist was her mentor years ago. They believe people open up more easily when they feel they’re not the only ones being vulnerable."

Dawn smiled. "That makes sense. That actually worked on me."

Lucy nodded. "It worked on me too. I didn’t believe in therapy at first. I didn’t even think I needed one. But my therapist changed that."

Dawn smiled faintly. "She sounds like a good person."

"She is," Lucy said softly. "She’s late now, though."

Dawn frowned. "That’s sad."

"Yeah. Life happens."

Dawn shifted in her seat. "By the way, I thank you for offering Genevieve a job."

Tom turned to Lucy in surprise. "You did?"

Lucy smiled calmly. "Not exactly. I mentioned to Delilah that she should reach out to Genevieve and find a way to help her. I felt Delilah would be in a better position to do that since she’s not directly involved with Dawn. And she’s also had a negative image before. Offering her the job was a welcomed decision."

Tom shook his head with a smile. "You really are an angel."

Lucy laughed as Tom lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. "A wise angel," he added.

She rolled her eyes playfully then turned to Dawn. "Dawn, you might need a moment to freshen up and get some rest. We are expecting my twin brother and his family for dinner."

Dawn nodded. "Okay."

As soon as Dawn disappeared up the stairs, Tom turned to Lucy. "Lucas and Amy are back from their trip already?"

"Yeah. They got back yesterday because Amy had to be present for today’s meeting," Lucy said. "She says Miley insisted they come over today. She doesn’t want to be the last to meet Dawn."

Tom laughed. "Dawn really is the lady of the moment."

Lucy smiled. "She is. I can’t wait to throw her welcome party. It will be a chance for the whole clan to meet."

Tom nodded. "That will be nice." He looked at Lucy more closely. "So, how was your day?"

"Before I answer that, how was your day with her?"

Tom chuckled. "She’s fun to hang with. The kind of conversations we had... I’ve never had such deep conversations with someone her age. She asked really smart questions and gave me her honest opinions."

Lucy smiled. "We always knew Dawn was smart."

Tom shook his head slowly. "Yeah. But this isn’t just about being book smart. She’s emotionally intelligent."

Lucy’s smile widened. "I’m still not surprised."

"Well, I am. But mostly, I’m glad we got along," Tom said.

"So am I," Lucy replied warmly.

"So, how was your day?"

"A bit hectic," she admitted. "But good."

He stood and moved closer to her. "Do you need a massage?"

She laughed. "Is it a happy-ending massage?"

He raised a brow. "Would you prefer a sad ending?"

She giggled. "I want a funny ending."

"I can do that," he said, smiling, "a funny ending is an happy ending with humor after all."

They laughed as they headed upstairs together so he could freshen up.