CHAPTER 178: SISTERS

Genevieve’s heart thudded so loudly as she stared at Abigail, while her hand stayed on the doorknob, unsure if she had really heard those words from her lips or if she had imagined it.

Slowly, she turned fully to face Abigail. "You spoke," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "You spoke to me."

Abigail gave a small nod but didn’t look away. She knew that Genevieve knew now that she could speak, but Genevieve didn’t know that she was aware, so she figured it would be a big deal to Genevieve if she opened up to her.

"Thank you, Genevieve," Abigail said again, her voice was quiet. But it was clear and warm.

This time, there was no mistaking it. Genevieve saw her lips move. Genevieve’s throat tightened as a wave of emotions washed over her.

The last time she had heard Abigail’s voice was twenty years ago when they were kids. At first when Abigail had lost her voice she had felt sorry and sad, but then she had also felt annoyed and frustrated when she had been unable to grasp the sign language and so she had channeled the feeling of inadequacy and anger at Abigail.

She let go of the doorknob as she took one slow step back into the room, and then another until she was standing by the desk.

"I... I don’t know what to say," she whispered. "Do you feel comfortable talking here or you want us to go somewhere else?" Genevieve asked, and Abigail shrugged.

"You said he wouldn’t bug my office or put cameras here," Abigail reminded her. "So, I guess we can talk here."

Genevieve nodded and sat down again opposite Abigail. "Dad actually told me earlier that you can speak now," Genevieve confessed, "but I’m surprised you chose to talk to me."

"I was also surprised you chose to tell me about his plan with Pete," Abigail said, and Genevieve smiled.

"I meant all I said yesterday," Genevieve said, and Abigail smiled.

"I’m glad you did," Abigail said softly.

Genevieve looked at her, still stunned. "Why did you speak... to me?"

Abigail held her gaze, and the faintest smile touched her lips. "Because you told me the truth. You didn’t have to say anything to me but you did. So the least I can do is open up to you, too."

Genevieve’s hands clasped together as she tried to hold in the storm of emotions building in her chest. Her eyes burned with the sting of tears. She blinked fast, but one tear still slipped down her cheek.

Abigail noticed, and her face softened. Had she ever really hated Genevieve? She didn’t think so. She hated the way Genevieve treated her, but she didn’t think she really hated Genevieve. And thinking about Genevieve’s past, she couldn’t even hold any grudges.

If by living as her Genevieve had been able to have relief from abuse or whatever trauma she might have endured as a child, then she didn’t mind.

Genevieve let out a small laugh, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand. "Sorry. I’m not trying to be dramatic. I just... I didn’t think I’d ever hear your voice this way. I didn’t think I’d be someone you’d choose to talk to. I mean, this is a very big deal."

"I didn’t think I’d talk to you either," Abigail admitted honestly. "But you said we are sisters, right? So it’s only natural that I talk to my big sister."

Genevieve smiled through her tears. "I didn’t think you’d ever see me that way. Thank you, Abigail."

"I know you must have a lot of questions for me," Abigail said, and Genevieve shook her head.

"I don’t," she said, and Abigail looked at her, surprised.

"You don’t?"

Genevieve nodded. "I don’t. I’m just glad that you can speak now. That’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been speaking or how you regained your speech."

As far as she was concerned, she had no right to ask Abigail questions. She was content with hearing Abigail’s voice.

She couldn’t ask Abigail questions when she still had things she was hiding from Abigail. And she didn’t want to know whatever Abigail knew now or was hiding. Not knowing meant she couldn’t ever be tempted to say a word of Abigail’s secrets to her father.

For a long moment, the room was quiet. The kind of quiet that wasn’t awkward but rather full of warmth and understanding.

Abigail understood and she was thankful that Genevieve wasn’t asking her any questions.

Genevieve reached forward and gently took Abigail’s hand. "Thank you, Abigail. Thank you for giving me this chance to be your sister. I promise you won’t regret it."

Abigail didn’t reply right away. Then to Genevieve’s surprise, Abigail rose and walked around the desk. She was still wondering what Abigail was up to when Abigail leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her.

Genevieve hugged her back, closing her eyes as she held her sister tight.

They stayed that way for a while, and when they finally pulled apart, Genevieve stood slowly and smiled.

"I should let you get back to work," she said gently.

Abigail nodded. "You too."

As Genevieve walked to the door again, she paused and looked back.

"You have a beautiful voice, Abigail," she said warmly.

Abigail grinned. "Thank you," she whispered.

Genevieve walked out of the room feeling pleased with herself. She felt like she had finally done something right.

As the door closed behind Genevieve, Abigail let out a soft sigh as she returned to her seat. It felt sort of nice being on good terms with Genevieve.

She hoped things would remain this way and Genevieve wouldn’t change again or betray her.

Abigail opened Jamal’s letter which had been about to read before Genevieve came in, and she smiled.

[My one and only,

I thought I was in love with you over the years and that was the reason I was waiting to be reunited with you, but I was totally wrong. I’ve only just realized now what true love is. Loving you has left me completely undone in the most beautiful way possible.

I think about you all the time. Not just when it’s quiet or when I’m alone, but in the middle of everything. I think of you when I’m working, driving, laughing, even when I’m breathing... you’re there. You’re like a soft echo inside my chest.

You make every simple thing feel like magic. A glance from you, a whisper of your laugh, the way you look at me, it all feels like home. And it scares me sometimes, how deeply I feel for you. Not because I don’t want it, but because I do. So much. More than I thought was possible.

If I could, I would press pause on every second we’re together and live in those moments forever. You make time feel like it’s racing and standing still at the same time. You are my favorite thought, my greatest discovery, and the most unexpected, beautiful miracle I never saw coming. I breathe so much easier when you’re near, and my dream is to build something real and lasting with you.

I want to hold your hand through the calm and the chaos. I want to be your safe place when the world gets too loud. I want to love you in every season of your life. I want to be with you in your certainty and in your doubt. I want to be with you in your joy and in your sadness (I’m hoping you will never have reasons to be sad anymore but if ever there comes a time when you’re sad, I want to be right next to you).

My love for you is not a fleeting feeling or a passing moment. It is a promise to always put you first, not because I have to, but because it’s the truest expression of my heart. Your happiness is my happiness, and your pain is my pain. I will never stop showing up for you. I will never stop choosing you, even on the hardest days. Especially on the hardest days.

If loving you means crossing oceans, braving storms, or walking a thousand lonely miles just to reach you, then I would do it without a second thought. There’s no distance I wouldn’t travel, no battle I wouldn’t fight, and no moment I wouldn’t give just to be by your side.

I’m endlessly drawn to you. I admire you. I cherish you. I am in awe of you. You are my everything; my love, my peace, and my forever.

I love you forever, my Queen.

Your soulmate (I’m your soulmate, right? I better be your soulmate because you’re mine.) Winks]

Abigail giggled as she read the last part of the letter and she shook her head.

Of course he was her soulmate. How could he ask that? She wondered as she glanced at the door, wondering what he was up to.