Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 484: GEMD

At the Hanks mansion, the den looked completely different.

Four mattresses lay side by side on the floor beneath piles of fluffy pillows.

Large bowls of popcorn sat on the centre table. Chocolate bars, sweets, and fresh juices covered another table.

Music played quietly in the background.

Genevieve sat comfortably between Dawn and Emily while Mari sat opposite them, cross-legged on the mattress.

Mari clapped her hands. “Questions first.”

Emily nodded. “Exactly. We’re doing this now in case our bride gets sleepy later.”

Genevieve laughed. “I thought I was done with the interviews yesterday.”

“Not nearly,” Mari replied. “We were being modest yesterday because of the older ladies.”

“Noted. So, I’m guessing I should expect immodest questions?” Genevieve asked, laughing. “So, who’s going first?”

Emily smiled warmly. “I’ll go first.” She leaned forward. “How does it feel being with Stef, knowing that he knows everything about your past?”

Genevieve smiled. “How is it supposed to feel? I’m happy that despite all he knows, he chose to be with me.”

Dawn chose her words carefully. “I believe what Emily is trying to know is if you ever feel judged? Right, Emily?”

“Yeah. Thanks, D.”

“D?” Dawn asked, laughing.

“Yeah. D for short,” Emily said with a grin.

“D! I love the sound of it,” Genevieve said, “Jessica calls Delilah, D.”

“Yeah,” Emily said with a grin. “And I’ll call you G.”

“Are we going by alphabets now? Because M doesn’t sound cool for me,” Mari said, making everyone laugh.

“And it sounds like we are saying Em not M,” Dawn pointed out.

“E doesn’t sound cool for me either. Let’s both stick to our names,” Emily told Mari, and they all giggled.

“Alone E and M might not sound cool, but together it sounds cool. Even the first alphabets of your names are cool, besties,” Dawn teased.

Emily and Mari squealed happily in agreement and gave each other a high five, making Dawn and Genevieve laugh.

“So, if we were to form an acronym for all four of us, what would it be?” Emily asked thoughtfully.

“MEGD? As in Merged?” Mari suggested.

“How about DEMG?” Genevieve asked with equal excitement.

“Or GEMD? As in GEMMED, because why not?” Dawn asked, and they all clapped.

“Perfect! We are GEMMED!” Emily said, laughing happily.

“Then what would it be for the guys? JJSC?” Mari asked, and they all groaned dramatically.

“So boring,” Dawn said with a shake of her head, and they all burst into laughter.

“Let’s not talk about the guys. Let’s focus on us and why we are here,” Emily said, clapping. “So, back to our questions, Geeeeee,” she drawled, making them giggle.

“I thought you all forgot about that already,” Genevieve groaned.

“Well, you thought wrong once again. So, do you feel judged?”

Genevieve didn’t answer immediately, but her smile softened. “I wouldn’t be marrying him if I felt judged, would I?”

“I guess not,” Emily said.

“To answer your question, no. Not once. He has never made me feel ashamed. I do feel embarrassed and cringe sometimes when I think about my past though. But not because Stefan makes me feel that way.” She smiled.

“Hmm, Stefan must be a better person than I am,” Emily muttered.

“Your situations are not the same. Give yourself a break. Besides, you’re doing improving gradually,” Mari said, patting her arm.

Genevieve smiled when it dawned on her it was about Emily and Callan’s relationship. “I don’t know if this is helpful, but I think talking about the past helps in a way.”

Emily frowned. “How do you mean?”

Genevieve shrugged. “I think maybe it’s the curiosity about things the other person has done that sometimes eats you up and stuff. But if you were free enough with your partner to talk about it and ask questions or express doubt and insecurity easily when they arise then the past wouldn’t be such a big deal.”

“Hmm,” Emily hummed thoughtfully.

“Don’t quote me anywhere though,” Genevieve said with a small laugh, “I’m not an authority on the subject, but I think if you want to know something, you should ask and you should be a safe space enough and listen without judgement. Stefan knows he can ask me anything however it might sting, and I know I can tell him anything without fear of judgement. So there has never really been room for assumptions.”

Emily smiled. “Safe space without judgement. I like that. Thanks. I’ll give it a try.”

Mari nodded thoughtfully. “My turn.”

“Why is it your turn and not mine?” Dawn protested.

Mari laughed. “When we were GEMMED, your alphabet came last,” she said, making them all laugh.

“Fine. Go on,” Dawn said, still laughing.

Mari hesitated. “Please don’t misunderstand me.”

Emily groaned, “Watch out, G. She’s about to ask a terrible question.”

Mari laughed. “Don’t do that.”

“Go on,” Genevieve encouraged Mari.

Mari scratched her head. “How does it feel having been with different men?”

Dawn frowned immediately. “Mari.”

Emily gave Mari a disapproving look.

Genevieve didn’t react. She merely listened.

Mari quickly raised both hands. “I didn’t mean to offend you, Genny. I’m sorry everyone if it sounds offensive. It’s just that I’ve only ever been with Jax. And I know Dawn and Emily have only been with Jamal and Callan as well. I’d ask them if they had been with any other guys, but they’re just as hopeless as I am.”

Mari looked genuinely flustered now. “I don’t even know if I’m making sense.” She waved both hands. “Forget I asked.”

Dawn and Emily looked at Genevieve.

Genevieve smiled kindly. “Relax, Mari. I’m not offended.”

“You’re not?” Mari asked with great relief.

“It’s an awkward question, but I believe it’s an honest question as well. So maybe you should rephrase it,” Genevieve suggested.

Mari looked at her hopefully. “You really don’t mind answering?”

Genevieve folded her legs beneath her. “I don’t.”

Mari grinned at her. “Thank you. So, I guess what I’m asking…” She frowned, trying to organise her thoughts. “Is sex just… sex? Or is it actually different with different guys?”