Fated to My Twin Brother

CHAPTER 8

The cold wind brushed against her face as she felt the ropes dig into her wrists. Hannah struggled to breathe, every gasp sharp with pain. She glanced at the girls surrounding her, their eyes glinting with malice.

“We shall see whether the rumors about Hampton are true,” one of the girls sneered. Her voice was high and mocking, the kind that made Hannah’s stomach churn. “See you tomorrow.”

“Or maybe we’ll just see your corpse,” another one laughed, sending chills down her spine.

The world around her dimmed, the dark shadows swallowing her whole. A whirl of images flashed before her eyes—pain, desperation, and then, abruptly, a different scene.

“Will you marry me?” a man’s voice echoed, warm and hopeful. He held a ring, its diamond gleaming in the sunlight, while the woman in front of him knelt amidst the flowers, dirt smudging her cheeks.

“Yes! I do!” she cried, joy overflowing in her voice.

“Victor!” Hannah woke with a start, sweat beading on her forehead. She sat up, clutching the sheets, her chest heaving as she tried to calm herself. The dream still hung heavy over her, a lingering presence she couldn’t shake off. She looked at the window and it was still night.

“I need to see Hadzen,” she muttered, her voice barely a whisper in the silent room. Throwing the blanket aside, she swung her legs off the bed and searched for her slippers, the soft padding of her feet muffled against the cold floor.

The mansion was eerily quiet, the kind of stillness that seemed to press in on her, making it hard to breathe. Everyone was asleep, oblivious to the turmoil roiling inside her. As she made her way through the corridors, the memories of the dream haunted her. Hadzen’s name echoed in her mind, mingled with the image of the woman in the garden. Who was she? And why did she call out for Victor? Who's Victor?

Her heart pounded as she reached Hadzen’s door. She hesitated for a moment, then knocked softly. No answer. Biting her lip, she reached for the doorknob, surprised to find it unlocked.

“Hadzen?” she called out softly as she stepped inside, her eyes straining to adjust to the dim light. She moved cautiously, almost tiptoeing, her breath caught in her throat.

“What the hell are you doing here?” The voice was low, cold, and it froze her in place. Hannah’s heart nearly stopped. She wasn’t alone.

“I miss you, Hadzen, where’s Hannah?” A woman’s voice, sultry and laced with something dark and desperate. Hannah peered through the shadows, her eyes widening as she saw the two figures on the bed.

“Get out of here, Elisse.” Hadzen’s voice was hard, almost cruel. The woman, Elisse, was straddling him, her long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. Hannah’s heart sank. She wanted to turn and leave, but her feet wouldn’t move.

“Elisse?” She asked herself remembering that name.

Dylan had mentioned her before, in passing. A name from their childhood, a fragment of a past Hannah barely remembered. “We were young back then when you got lost. I don't remember much of it myself, but me, you, Hadzen, and Elisse. We were good friends.”

Hannah’s mind raced as she watched the scene unfold before her. Elisse leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “We were young, Hadzen. And you still feel it, don’t you? Don't you feel the same for me?”

“Don’t worry, I might end up bleeding to death in Hampton University,” Elisse’s voice was soft, almost teasing. “But first, kissing you won’t.”

Hannah took a step back, her body trembling. She shouldn’t be here. She had invaded a private moment, crossed a line she couldn’t uncross. Just as she was about to turn away, Elisse leaned down and kissed Hadzen. The sight made Hannah’s stomach twist painfully. She fled, her heart pounding so loudly she thought it might burst from her chest.

Outside the room, she pressed herself against the wall, her hands clutching her chest as she tried to catch her breath. “M-maybe I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”

Her words felt hollow, meaningless. She knew she wouldn’t. How could she, after what she’d seen?

Back in her room, she collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in the pillow. “I didn’t know my brother had a girlfriend,” she murmured into the silence, the words a feeble attempt to make sense of the chaos in her mind. She lay there, staring at the ceiling until sleep, merciful and heavy, finally dragged her under.

***

The morning light was harsh, glaring through the curtains as Hannah blinked awake. She stretched, the remnants of the night’s confusion clinging to her like cobwebs. Pushing herself up, she ran a hand over her neck, feeling the strange, rough texture of the scar there. It wasn’t the only one—scars marred her body, each one a reminder of battles she couldn’t fully remember.

She rose and made her way to the bathroom, the hot water soothing her aching muscles as she stood under the shower. Her mind wandered, replaying the dream, the scene in Hadzen’s room, over and over. What did it all mean? And why did it feel like something was slipping through her fingers, something important she couldn’t quite grasp?

After her shower, she stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. Her eyes, mismatched in color—gray and blue—looked back at her, reflecting a confusion she couldn’t shake off. Her hair, a mix of gray and black, fell in waves down her back, a stark contrast to the girl she used to be. She felt different, almost like a stranger in her own skin.

“Those eyes, hair and skin, everything similar to my twin.” She said softly remembering the handsome face of Hadzen.

A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Wrapping a towel around herself, she opened it to find her mother standing there, a smile lighting up her face.

“Hannah.” Her mother’s voice was soft as she held out a navy blue dress. “Wear this.”

Hannah took the dress, feeling the soft fabric between her fingers. “Why?”

“Just wear it. I want to see you in something nice today.”

With a sigh, Hannah returned to the bathroom and slipped into the dress. It fit her perfectly, accentuating her figure in a way that made her feel strangely self-conscious. When she stepped out, her mother’s eyes shone with pride.

“You look beautiful,” her mother said, guiding her to a chair. “Let me brush your hair. I’ve missed doing this.”

Hannah sat, the brush gliding through her hair soothingly. “Mom, can I ask you something?”

“Of course, sweetheart.”

“How did you and Dad end up together?” She suddenly asked if that is not what she wanted to ask but her mouth suddenly said that.

Her mother’s hand stilled for a moment before she continued brushing. “That’s a long story. Your father and I are siblings.”

“What?” Hannah jerked, turning to look at her mother in shock.

Her mother laughed softly. “Not by blood, dear. My mother and his father married after being separated for many years. So, he became my step-brother.”

“Oh.” Hannah relaxed slightly, her mind trying to process this new piece of information.

“We were drawn to each other, but it wasn’t easy. Your father was the new Alpha, and there were many who didn’t accept us at first. But we overcame that, and now, here we are.”

Hannah nodded, her gaze drifting to the window. The mansion, with its grandeur and old-world elegance, suddenly felt suffocating. There were so many secrets, so many layers she didn’t understand.