Chapter 84: I Found Dawn

Chapter 84: I Found Dawn Outside the hotel, Jamal opened the car door for Abigail. She slid into the seat, and he shut the door gently before walking around to the driver’s side. As he settled behind the wheel, he glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. She returned it, her eyes holding a warmth he remembered from five years ago. Without a word, he started the car and pulled out of the hotel driveway. Back to being mute, Abigaik turned on the radio to fill the silence between them even though it wasn’t an uncomfortable one. Every now and then, they would steal glances at each other and each time their eyes met— they would both turn away, smiling. Abigail couldn’t believe that less than twenty-four hours after being on the plane with Jamal, she was here with him this way. She wished she could record a podcast telling the world about this bond she shared with Jamal that she knew nothing about yet had held them together and led them back to each other in spite of all the obstacles. At the same time Jamal couldn’t help the joy that filled his heart. He would think about Ryan and worry about what to do to him later, but for now, he just wanted to revel in the joy of being in Dawn’s presence. He had been so full of hope after listening to Nobody’s podcast, and he had thought it was about having another chance Genevieve. But this turn of events was completely unexpected. After some time Jamal reached out, his fingers grazing her hand before curling around it. He lifted it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. Abigail’s smile deepened as butterflies flapped their wings in her tummy, but she said nothing. She felt... safe. Despite everything, despite Ryan waiting for her at home, despite the battles ahead, this moment was hers. The way Jamal looked at her, the way he held her hand like it was the most precious thing in the world— those were things she wanted to hold on to. Jamal didn’t say anything either. He just kissed her hand again before placing it back on her lap. He kept driving, his grip firm on the wheel, but his mind was elsewhere— on her. On the calls he knew he had to make and everything he had to do. He knew he was yet to dwell on the fact that they had a child together. The mere thought of it made his heart race and his fingers tightened a little around the steering. A part of him pushed the thought away and he knew why he didn’t want to think about it yet. He knew if he let himself focus on that right now, then nothing she said would stop him from going to Ryan to get his son. And she had said the kid was attached to Ryan. So for now the best he could do was push it to some other corner of his mind where it wouldn’t hurt. The thought that he had a son who didn’t know him and who didn’t recognize Abigail as his mother tore at his heart. The thought of the kid referring to Ryan as his father made him want to punch the life out of Ryan. He turned when he sensed Abigail staring at him and then she tilted her head to the side as she sighed. [What’s wrong?] He followed her gaze and noticed the way he was gripping at the steering and he sighed as he released his grip and then shook his head as he flashed her a smile. Understanding that he was probably thinking of everything they had talked about, Abigail leaned her head back against the seat, closing her eyes briefly. After a while Jamal stole another glance at her. She looked peaceful, yet he knew she was anything but. His fingers brushed against hers again, a silent reassurance. Abigail opened her eyes, meeting his gaze once more. "You’re very beautiful even with the mask on," he mouthed. She grinned. "I know." She mouthed back and they both laughed silently. As they drove through the gates, Abigail straightened in her seat, her expression shifting. Jamal followed her gaze and his jaw tightened when he saw Ryan sitting on the balcony, his posture relaxed but his eyes were fixed on the car. Abigail instinctively reached for his hand, squeezing it gently as if reminding him to compose himself. As he parked the car, she pulled her hand away when Ryan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the balcony railing. Jamal killed the engine, and Abigail exhaled slowly before pushing the door open and stepping out. Jamal did the same, his movements controlled, his expression neutral. Ryan’s voice carried down to them, smooth and firm. "Come up, Abi." She gave him a nod, and then turned to Jamal and gave him a nod too before going inside the house. As Abigail entered the main house and shut the door behind her, Ryan turned his attention to Jamal. "Good job, Pete. You’re dismissed." Jamal gave him a polite bow and without another one, he returned to the car to take out the takeout bag he had gotten from the restaurant earlier. Jamal’s hands clenched at his sides as he made his way around the house to the staff quarters, his mind already working on what needed to be done next. As soon as he got into his room, he set aside the takeout bag and then sat on his bed as he replayed his conversation with Abigail in his head. Soon he became restless and paced around his tiny room from one end to the other, trying to figure out who to talk to first. Lucy? Tom? His grandfather? His mom? Mari? Callan? The only reason he didn’t want to talk to Lucy first was because Tom would be mad if he took such an upsetting issue directly to Lucy without telling him about it first. Knowing how softhearted Lucy was, she would be heartbroken to hear all that Dawn had been through. He figured that if Tom weren’t a Hank he would have been the first person he reached out to being his mentor. So, he decided that Tom was the best person to talk to since he was both his mentor and Dawn’s family. Without wasting anymore time, he dialed Tom’s line. The call connected after the third ring, "Tell me you’re calling because you’re back," Tom said pleasantly the moment he received the call. "I found Dawn. Genevieve is not Dawn."