Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 434: It’s Hard

Jamal’s stomach growled softly, and when he glanced at the time and saw he still had enough time before leaving, he slipped his phone into his pocket and walked out of the room in search of something to eat.

The moment he stepped out of his room, the smell of breakfast hit him.

He sniffed the air.

He could smell eggs, pancakes, and coffee.

His stomach growled again.

Jamal frowned slightly as he went to see who was in the kitchen.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw Stefan standing by the cooker.

An apron hung loosely over his clothes.

Jamal stopped at the entrance and folded his arms. "What are you doing?" he asked suspiciously.

Stefan glanced at him briefly. "Isn’t it obvious enough?"

Jamal chuckled. "Breakfast in bed for the soon-to-be missus?"

Stefan snorted softly. "Genevieve wouldn’t be awake for a long time," he said in a tone that left no doubts as to the reason for that. "This is for you."

Jamal blinked. "For me?"

Stefan nodded once as he flipped the egg in the pan.

Jamal frowned wondering why he was bothering with that. "You don’t have to make me breakfast, Stefan."

"I know," Stefan replied calmly. "I wanted to."

Jamal watched with confusion as he plated the food and then carried the tray to the dining counter and set it down neatly.

"I haven’t slept. I’ve did a lot of thinking. I wanted to talk to you before you leave," he said as he poured coffee into a mug then politely gestured to Jamal to sit.

"Talk to me about what?" Jamal asked as he sat slowly.

"I owe you an apology," Stefan said, sitting adjacent to him.

Jamal looked at him but said nothing as he picked up the mug.

"I’m sorry for my attitude yesterday," Stefan said quietly.

Jamal remained silent.

Stefan leaned back against his seat.

"You left Dawn, Josh, and even the company, and traveled all the way here because you were worried about me," he continued. "And instead of appreciating it, I acted like..." He exhaled softly. "Like an ass."

Jamal nodded in agreement. "Not just any ass. A very annoying and stupid one."

Stefan glared at him but Jamal merely chuckled as he picked up his fork.

"Thanks for breakfast," he said, then added thoughtfully, "but instead of apologizing, I’d rather you work on your mindset."

Stefan frowned slightly.

Jamal met his gaze. "You keep acting like you’re just an employee of the family," he said. "And honestly? It’s annoying."

Jamal continued eating calmly when Stefan said nothing.

"Family isn’t always blood," Jamal said. "Not everyone in the clan is blood related. Nobody even thinks about that."

Stefan stayed quiet.

"Think about this, do you think the Jonas and Hanks are close just because of blood and marriage?" Jamal asked but didn’t wait for him to respond. "It started with friendship."

Jamal continued. "Uncle Harry and Tom became brothers long before marriage tied them and everyone else together. The whole clan was built on friendship and loyalty first," Jamal added. "Marriage only strengthened it."

Stefan’s expression softened slightly as he saw the light in what Jamal was saying.

Silence filled the kitchen for a moment.

Then Jamal looked at him directly. "So stop acting like an outsider," he said simply. "You may not be a Jonas by blood, but you’re very much part of the family. You’re my brother, Stefan, not my assistant. Act like it."

Something warm shifted in Stefan’s expression then. He looked away briefly then cleared his throat after a moment.

"So..." he said slowly. "Does that mean I can start treating you like my younger brother? Like call you kid bro?"

Jamal narrowed his eyes immediately. "Don’t you dare."

Stefan chuckled and Jamal laughed too.

The tension finally eased completely.

Jamal took another bite of the breakfast and nodded approvingly.

"This is actually very good. Thank you."

Stefan smirked slightly. "I know."

Jamal ate in silence for a while, then checked the time again.

"I’ll be leaving in less than an hour."

"I know," Stefan said. "I already spoke to the pilot. That’s why I decided to make breakfast before you leave."

Jamal looked at him for a second before nodding. "Thanks."

"It’s hard," Stefan confessed suddenly.

Jamal raised a brow, "What is?"

Stefan shrugged lightly. "Growing up at the orphanage, whenever people would come to pick up kids..." he trailed off for a moment, like he was trying to find the right words.

Jamal looked at him quietly and waited.

Stefan rubbed the back of his neck. "You always knew they weren’t coming for you," he said with a small humorless smile. "At some point, you stop expecting people to choose you."

Jamal’s expression softened slightly.

Stefan looked down at his coffee mug. "You stop believing you belong anywhere permanently. So even when people are kind to you, a part of you keeps waiting for the moment they remember you’re not really theirs."

Jamal was quiet for a moment.

Then he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "That sounds exhausting," he said honestly.

Stefan chuckled softly. "It is."

Jamal studied him for a second before speaking again. "You know the funny thing?"

Stefan looked at him.

"You keep saying stuff like this like you’re the only one who had issues growing up," Jamal said. "You think everyone else in the family came from perfect homes?"

Stefan raised a brow slightly.

Jamal shrugged. "You know about my Mom and aunt Andy. They grew up in the orphanage and were never adopted, remember? And before you remind me that grandpa is my mom’s biological father, what about aunt Andy? Doesn’t she seem like his daughter even more than my mom?"

Stefan stayed quiet.

Jamal continued eating slowly. "The difference is that while some people let those things shape them forever, others decide to heal and move forward. Or maybe it’s guy thing. I think you should talk to Callan. He was adopted but he also probably felt like you until recently."

Stefan looked thoughtful at that.

"You’re not that little boy at the orphanage anymore," Jamal added. "Nobody here is waiting to abandon you."

Stefan looked away briefly.

"I know that logically," he admitted quietly. "But emotionally..." He exhaled softly. "Sometimes it’s harder. I just don’t want to overstep. I love the family and that’s why I’m trying not to overstep."

Jamal nodded slowly. He understood that more than Stefan probably realized.

"You’ll get there eventually," Jamal said simply. "But remember one thing, you’re the one drawing the invisible emotional boundary lines. So only you can wipe off those lines."

Stefan looked at him and gave a small nod.

Silence settled between them again for a moment.

"I’m really happy Genevieve is okay," he admitted quietly.

Stefan’s face changed instantly at the mention of Genevieve.

"Me too," he said softly. "I love her so much, Jamal. I don’t think I could survive it if anything happened to her."

Jamal leaned back slightly. "I’m glad nothing happened. Everyone is. Did you speak to Callan and his mom like planned?"

Stefan nodded. "Yeah. We did."

Jamal smiled. "Good." Then he smirked suddenly. "Enjoy your honeymoon in advance by the way. Cause when you get back you’re not taking any more leave."

Stefan laughed softly. "Can I work remotely instead now until I get back?" he asked. "Then take my leave after the wedding?"

Jamal pretended to think deeply. "Only if you hold off your wedding until after mine."

"Never!"

Jamal chuckled and stood up with his phone. "I need to be on my way now. Give my love to Genny when she wakes up."

Stefan nodded and followed him out, "Tell Dawn I said hi."

After Jamal left, Stefan returned to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Genevieve.