Can't play my level 30 characters (ghost email / account?)

Hi,  to whoever can help,

I have SWTOR installed through my steam account, and recently I got back into it with some friends. I've tried to play it several times, but never did anything after getting off the starter planets. However, my friends and I got to level 30 on our characters, and then the next day I tried to log on; and it wouldn't let me--without verifying my email. I checked both my emails and didn't get a verification email. And then my friend found out that my email must've been disconnected from that account since I haven't verified it in apparently a decade. I don't know what to do, as I don't want to start over, and I already spent money on the game through steam. I cant send an email or submit an in-game ticket because I'm not a subscriber.. even though I've spent money.