Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Abigail sat beside Lucy, their heads bent close together, as they conversed and got to know each other while the jet cut through the clouds.

Lucy held Abigail's hand sometimes as she spoke, as though she wanted to assure herself that Abigail was real and there beside her.

Abigail told Lucy all about her relationship with Ryan and Genevieve, and how tough it had been for her.

Abigail's cheeks glowed, any reservation she had faded with every word Lucy said. "So, you see? It doesn't matter how bad your experience is, what matters most is what you make out of it."

Abigail smiled and nodded. "Like making lemonade when life throws lemons at you."

"Exactly! You could draw your purpose from your experience no matter how unpleasant. The way I see it, surviving your bad experience could be the salvation of someone else in a similar situation," Lucy said, and Abigail nodded in agreement.

"You're right."

"So, tell me how you were able to get the mask and not do surgery. I thought someone like Ryan would check the fact."

Abigail smiled, "Somehow I became friends with the cosmetic surgeon and opened up to her. She suggested I go for the mask."

"That's very kind of her."

On the other side of the cabin, grandma Evelyn sat with Josh beside her as they both solved some puzzles on his tablet.

Josh giggled at intervals, and grandma Evelyn was full of praises for him.

"Clever boy," Evelyn said, kissing his hair, and Josh beamed, soaking up her affection like sunshine.

But soon Josh's voice grew slower, and his eyelids drooped as Evelyn stroked his hair, humming under her breath. Within minutes, he was curled against her, fast asleep, his lashes like little fans on his cheeks.

Meanwhile, Jamal who had been sleeping for hours, walked into the Cabin to join them, and when he saw Abigail and Lucy talking while Tom sat alone, he went to sit with him.

"I bet you've not slept this well since you got to Westend," Tom observed.

Jamal leaned back, running a hand over his jaw. "I've had this constant weight in my stomach since I got there. But I feel much better now," he admitted quietly, his eyes flicking to Abigail, who was laughing at something Lucy said.

Tom followed his gaze and nodded. "Good. I think she might be the stubborn and strong-willed type," Tom observed, though his gaze lingered on Lucy, and his lips curved in a smile.

Jamal chuckled. "She is. But I guess that's a side effect of being subjugated all these years…"

"Don't you think the side effect of that should be people pleasing? If she has been raised to only obey instructions and not think for herself, then she ordinarily shouldn't be able to break free from that so easily. I think it's her personality," Tom cut in.

Jamal shrugged. "She's also wise and can communicate her feelings quite well, so I'm sure it won't be a problem."

"I don't expect it to. I was only stating an interesting observation, not pointing out a flaw. It's a good thing that what happened to her didn't break her. It would have been tougher to face her had that happened," Tom explained.

"You're right."

For a while, they sat in silence, watching the women as they chatted. Tom's gaze was on Lucy and Jamal's on Abigail.

Tom turned back to Jamal. "Why don't you go sit with your girlfriend? I want my Jewel's attention now."

Jamal smirked, shaking his head. "Not happening. I want Lucy's attention right now. You can get acquainted with your aunt Dawn."

Tom chuckled, low and deep. "I thought once you had your own woman, you'd finally leave mine alone."

Jamal grinned, leaning forward. "Never happening. By the way, when I get married to Dawn, you'd have to call me Uncle Jamal since I'm married to your aunt. Keep that in mind."

Tom laughed out loud, "I suppose your Uncle Harry should also call you Uncle since Dawn is also his wife's aunt."

Jamal considered it for a moment then shook his head. "You know what? Forget it." With that, he stood, stretching lazily before strolling over to where Lucy and Abigail were seated.

Tom was still laughing as he watched Jamal walk away. "May I join you lovely ladies?" He asked playfully. "And before you say no, the old gentleman over there seeks the company of this very beautiful young lady," he said, looking at Abigail, who was grinning at his dramatic performance.

Abigail blinked, her lips parting. "Me?" She asked, suddenly feeling nervous.

Lucy laughed, patting her hand. "Oh, sweetheart, don't look so scared. He doesn't bite. Go on and talk to him. You'll be fine."

With a weary nod, Abigail rose and walked toward Tom's seat, her steps small and hesitant.

As she left, they both watched as Abigail settled down next to Tom while Lucy's gaze was on Tom.

Tom caught her gaze across the cabin. Lucy grinned at him, and Tom winked at her and blew her a kiss. Lucy caught the kiss and pasted it on her lips, then blew him a kiss too.

She burst into a quiet giggle, her hand flying to her mouth, when Tom caught the kiss and swallowed it.

Beside her, Jamal shook his head, amused. Their silent exchange fascinated him. They didn't even need words, he thought. That was love. And deep in his chest, he hoped he would always be that way with Abigail, so connected and in love.

Lucy turned to Jamal, eyes narrowing playfully. "Did he really say he wanted to talk to her, or did you just make that up?"

Jamal's grin widened as he took the seat Abigail had vacated. "Made it up. As much as it's sweet that she knows you love her, she needs to feel like she belongs with Tom too. Earlier when we arrived, you all embraced, but Tom didn't embrace her. I think they're both awkward with each other."

Lucy's face softened and she laughed. "He isn't sure how to treat her," she admitted, and then smiled. "You know, this just made me remember something you did when you were a kid."

"Me? What did I do?" Jamal asked with a curious smile.

"When your mom first met your grandfather, remember? Your grandfather had a heart attack and then we just found out your mom was his missing child, who he thought was dead," she said, and his expression became thoughtful.

"I remember the hospital, yes. What did I do?"

Lucy laughed. "You went to hide in the restroom because you were tired of doing all the talking while they both remained silent…"

Jamal laughed. "I remember that! You got me ice cream, right?"

Lucy grinned as she nodded. "Yeah, I did. You've always been such a thoughtful kid, Jamal. And it's because of that, we could find out about Abigail and what happened to her." She squeezed his hand softly. "I hope you never lose this. It's part of your charm."

Jamal smiled. "I won't."

Meanwhile, Tom noticed Abigail fidgeting as she sat down. He leaned forward slightly, his voice gentle. "Relax. I don't eat people."

Abigail forced a small smile but didn't look up at him. "I didn't think you did."

"Good. So why then do you look so nervous? You get along with my jewel," Tom continued. "And I heard you got along with my kids too. So why so nervous around me?"

She shrugged, eyes flicking down. "Maybe because you're around Ryan's age. And Ryan's been the only male figure in my life, so I guess I feel wary around men that age. And knowing what my mother did to you, using me… it just makes me uncomfortable."

Tom nodded slowly, his gaze steady on her. "You had nothing to do with what happened between your mother and me. I don't hold that against you." His voice softened. "Do you know you look more like me than any of the other Hanks? That was the reason she was able to pull it off too. And somehow it was thanks to your involvement in our lives that got my jewel to be more open to the possibility of having kids. So, you don't have to be uncomfortable around me."

Abigail was slightly surprised that he acknowledged the resemblance between them, but smiled and gave him a little nod.

"Forget the past and what your mother did," Tom said. "Now about your other point, tell me, is there something you think I can do to help you relax around me? Perhaps something that'll assure you I'm not Ryan?" He asked, knowing that Lucy would want him to make an effort to be closer to Dawn.

Abigail shook her head slowly. "I don't know. Maybe… it'll just take a while."

"Are you sure?" He asked, and when she nodded, he sighed softly. "Alright then. I hope it won't take too long."

They were both silent for a while until Tom broke the silence again, "So, what do you plan to do after you're settled in Ludus? We could use a brilliant mind like yours at I-Global."

Abigail's face lit up, not because of the job he was offering, but because he seemed to be interested in her life more than she had assumed.

"Thank you. I haven't thought that far ahead yet. But… I'll let you know after I'm settled and have figured out what I want."

"Take your time," Tom said with a nod.

Just then, the pilot's voice came over the speaker, announcing that they were approaching Ludus.

Tom looked across the cabin at his wife, who was still watching them closely, her eyes soft with approval.

He wordlessly signalled her over. They'd been apart for most of the flight and now he wanted her back to his side.

"He just can't let you be, can he?" Jamal murmured, and Lucy laughed softly as she rose.

"You can let Abigail be if you want. I like my husband possessive," she said before walking away to go join Tom and Abigail.

As she approached them, Abigail rose and excused herself to go be with Jamal.

"How do you feel?" Jamal asked Abigail as she took the seat Lucy had vacated.

"Excited, I suppose. And very nervous," she admitted.

Jamal squeezed her hand, "Don't worry. Everything will be okay."

When the jet finally touched down and the cabin doors opened, Abigail's breath caught as they walked down the boarding stairs.

A fleet of cars waited at the airstrip. But more than that, standing outside, waiting to welcome them were members of the Hank and Jonas families.

Their faces were warm and expectant.