Unexpected Twist

Unexpected Twist
Regina's POV

I chuckled, thinking that Derek was joking. "That's impossible," I said, shaking my head.

But Derek's expression was serious, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. I stared at him in shock, my mind racing with questions. And then my gaze moved to Rachael, who looked just as stunned as I did.

I had felt a pull towards Rachael, a sense of connection that I couldn't explain. I had thought that we could be friends, but sisters? It seemed impossible.

But Derek was never one to crack jokes with me. He was a straightforward person, and if he said that Rachael and I were sisters, then I had to believe him.

"I can prove it," Derek said, his eyes locked on mine. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, his expression serious.

We waited in silence for a few minutes, and then a woman stepped into the room. She was a female doctor, probably in her late thirties, with a kind face and a warm smile.

"Hello," she said, introducing herself as Dr. Ella. "I'm the girls' aunt from their mother's side." She said as a matter-of-factly.

I swallowed, realizing that this was no daydream or prank. This was happening and I actually have a sister! Younger or older, I couldn't even tell.

"H-how? I never heard of you before. I mean my father had a stroke when I was still young but still..." My words were a jumbled mess just like my thoughts.

"I understand that you both have questions, and I'm happy to explain everything to you both," she said, noticing the questioning loop on our faces.

Dr. Ella's expression turned somber as she began to explain our family's complicated history. "Your mother married Marshal, Regina's father, and gave birth to Regina," she said, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and nostalgia. "At first, they were happy, but things took a turn for the worse when one of Marshal's clients started pursuing your mother behind his back."

Dr. Ella sighed, collecting her thoughts before continuing. "Your mother was seduced by the man's wealth and good looks, despite my warnings not to leave her husband and child. She eventually left Marshal and gave birth to Rachael. But the man's fortunes soon turned, and he lost everything. He blamed me for his misfortunes and started abusing your mother."

Dr. Ella's eyes clouded over, and her voice cracked with emotion. "I begged your mother to leave him, but she refused, saying she couldn't abandon Rachael. And then...and then he killed her. That's how I lost my sister."

So I was the older sister. But that was the least of my worries. How come I never knew all this, while I had a sister? Not even my uncle nor my aunt said anything about this. How was that even possible?

I was speechless and confused, my mind reeling with the revelation that I had a sister. I looked at Rachael, who looked equally shocked, her eyes wide with surprise. We both stared at each other, the silence between us palpable.

Daniel broke the silence, his voice cutting through the tension. "How did you know Ella?" he asked Derek.

But Ella replied instead, "I'm also friends with your father, Daniel. He was once my patient."

Daniel's eyes narrowed, his expression curious. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Ella's expression turned somber. "He was with me the night of the plane crash. He never boarded the plane."

Daniel's face went white, his eyes wide with shock. "Then...then he must still be alive," he stammered.

Derek intervened, his voice calm and measured. "A lot has happened, Daniel. We'll discuss this later."

I parted my lips to speak, but no words came forth, but I knew I had to say something to make sense of everything we just heard. I had an aunt from my mother's side, and she never thought to find or visit me since? That was so unrealistic, and I couldn't even think of a better excuse for her.

I decided to take a step forward, trying to break the awkward tension that had settled over the room. I smiled at Rachael, trying to appear friendly and approachable. "Hi," I said, feeling a little nervous. "I never thought I had a younger sister."

But instead of easing the tension, my words seemed to worsen it. The room felt even more strained, and Rachael's forced smile only added to the awkwardness. "I never thought I had a sister," she replied, her voice stiff.

Daniel seemed to sense the tension and placed a hand on my shoulder. He whispered in my ear, "We'll be outside waiting for you." Then, he nodded to Derek and Ella, and the three of them left the room, leaving Rachael and me alone.

The silence between us was oppressive, and I didn't know how to break it. I looked at Rachael, trying to read her expression, but she just looked back at me, her eyes guarded.

Rachael's smile was a gentle one, and I knew immediately that she was reminiscing about something. She asked about my child, and we both gazed at the baby sleeping peacefully on the bed.

I replied, "To be honest, I've been having trouble sleeping because of the fear of losing him."

Rachael was quiet, but this time, the silence was comfortable. It was as if we had finally found a sense of ease with each other.

Rachael broke the silence, her voice soft. "I'm happy to have a sister too," she said. "But I don't know what to do. I've been alone for a while now, without any real family members. Well, apart from the aunt I just met today, and I didn't even know she existed."

I laughed, feeling a sense of understanding. "I get it, Rachael. But hopefully, things will change in the future. We can start anew, and make the most of this unexpected twist."

There was no certainty or reassurance, but I knew that no matter what, things would be different from now on. And it was up to us to make it the best it could be.