Vengeful Twin Returns With Twins

Episode 3

Diane's Pov

“You're just a person that's meant to be thrown away!”

“You're nothing!”

“It would be better for the family if you just died!”

I awoke with a start, my heart beating frantically against my chest as those words echoed in my head. I put my hands around my chest, feeling that my heart was still beating.

“I'm not dead. I'm really not dead.” I muttered, my voice hoarse and my throat painful. I took a moment to calm my breathing. What happened? Who had saved me? I looked around, the first thing I noticed was the smell of herbs. The ceiling above me was wooden, rough with sunlight streaming in through gaps in the walls. My body ached all over, but I was warm, tucked under layers of blankets.

I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my ribs, and I gasped, collapsing back onto the bed.

"Ah, you're awake." A deep voice filled the room.

I turned my head slowly to see an elderly man sitting by the window, grinding something in a mortar and pestle. His hair was stark white, his face weathered with age but kind. Beside him stood a young man, probably in his mid-twenties, with tousled black hair and piercing hazel eyes. His face was rough, and he was staring at me with eyes that showed he didn't like me.

I wonder what I did to him because I barely even knew him.

“Where am I?" My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

"You're safe.” The old man said, setting the mortar down and walking over to me, "You washed ashore a few days ago. My grandson, Elias, found you and brought you here. You’re lucky to be alive."

The young man, Elias, stepped closer, his gaze unreadable as he studied me, "We didn’t think you’d make it. You were running a very high fever and you wouldn't stop hallucinating and trying to push us away.” He said bluntly, though there was no malice in his tone, just amusement, “It's funny how someone so sick could be strong enough to keep us away.”

The memories came back all at once, the dark room, Diana, the cliff, how she pushed me and the freezing ocean. My hands trembled as I clutched the blanket.

"You saved me." I muttered, looking between the two of them.

Elias nodded, "Grandfather insisted we nurse you back to health. It wasn’t easy, though. You were in bad shape."

"I… Thank you." My throat tightened, words failing me. Gratitude mingled with a deep, burning anger that bubbled just beneath the surface.

The old man placed a reassuring hand on my arm, “Rest for now. You’ll need your strength. When you’re ready, we can talk about what comes next."

Days turned into weeks as I recovered under their care. The old man, who introduced himself as Gregory, was a doctor, as his grandson said, he was a very famous doctor. I don't believe him though. A good doctor, yes, but a famous one? I had never heard about him before. And what doctor comes to a place like this to stay and practice traditional medicine? However, his knowledge of medicine and herbal remedies was unparalleled, and I soon found myself fascinated by his work.

"You’ve got a keen eye for things, Diane.” Gregory said one day as I helped him grind herbs for a salve, "Have you ever thought about learning medicine?"

I hesitated, "I never had the chance to think about what I wanted.” I admitted, "But I’d like to learn."

And so, I began my training under Gregory’s guidance.

Elias, however, was a different story. While he was polite, there was a quiet intensity about him that made me uneasy. He often watched me from afar, his gaze lingering longer than it should, but I kept my focus on my studies, pushing any thoughts of him aside.

My past was behind me, or so I wanted to believe. I’d changed my name, leaving Diane Cruz behind. I was now someone else entirely, Elaine Hunter, someone determined to build a life free of the chains that once bound me.

Months passed, and I immersed myself in learning. Gregory’s teachings were rigorous, and I quickly became proficient in identifying illnesses, preparing remedies, and treating injuries.

One evening, as I was cleaning up after a long day, Gregory entered the room, his expression unusually serious.

"Diane…" He stopped himself, shaking his head, "Sorry, I mean… Elaine. I need to talk to you."

I frowned, setting down the bowl I was washing, "What is it?"

He hesitated, his gaze searching mine, "I’ve been noticing some changes in you recently. Tell me, have you been feeling different?"

"Different how?" I asked, confused.

"Fatigued? Nauseous?"

“Yeah. I've been feeling more tired than ever. I wake up sometimes in the morning, feeling like throwing up. I wonder what's going on, I haven't eaten anything bad under your watch.” I wondered out loud, “How did you notice it though? I didn't tell anyone about it.” I questioned, staring back at him.

“Have you forgotten who I am, child?” Gregory's tone held a hint of amusement, but his eyes were serious as he folded his hands behind his back, “You don’t need to tell me. I’ve been a doctor far longer than you’ve been alive. I notice things.”

I frowned, still unsure where this was going. “So… what are you trying to say?”

He only looked at me, not saying anything but I could read them in his eyes. My heart sank as I realized where this was going. The dizzy spells, the sudden aversion to certain smells, the occasional waves of nausea, it all clicked into place.

"No.” I whispered, shaking my head, "It can’t be."

Gregory placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, "I’m afraid it is, child. You’re pregnant."

The room spun around me, my grip tightening on the edge of the table to keep myself steady.

Pregnant. I was pregnant. How could I be pregnant? Why… Oh… That night.

“But… But I can't keep this baby! I can't! Is there a way for me to…”

“If you do this, you won't be able to have another child in the future. Although it's a miracle that this child was able to form despite everything you've gone through, I won't promise that you'll be able to have another one. The fall from that cliff made you weak, very weak. If you keep it, I will be able to save you and the child, but if you don't…”

The implications were clear, as clear as day. But why now? Why?

“You can think about it more, child. We aren't in a rush.” Gregory’s words lingered in the air long after he left the room. I sat frozen, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts.

I let out a shaky breath. Gregory’s words replayed in my mind, over and over.

“If you keep it, I will be able to save you and the child, but if you don’t…” I closed my eyes, tears streaming down my face as I whispered to the quiet room. I really loved children, and I always wanted one, but now…

“What do I do now?”

The answer didn’t come. Not yet. But I knew time was running out. And as the days crept by, I found myself standing at a crossroads, the weight of my decision threatening to crush me. The choice felt like an impossible one.

To keep the child? Or to let it go?