THE LOST TWINS

8 - Truth

Lorenzo Romano
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(Edited)

I walked out of my office and into Alexa's room, where my siblings were all huddled together. But one person was noticeably missing - Alesa.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"They told me Alesa told Alexa to leave," Dylan said.

I raised an eyebrow. "No way. Alesa wouldn't say that."

I'd only known Alesa for two days, but I already knew she wasn't capable of hurting her twin like that. When I had given her pictures to hang in her room earlier, I saw how lovingly she looked at the photo of her and Alexa.

But why would my brothers and Alexa lie? Didn't Alexa love her twin?

Lost in thought, I headed to Alesa's room. The door was locked, and she didn't answer my knocks. Panic set in. What if something was wrong?

I rushed back to my room, grabbed the spare key, and entered Alesa's room. She lay on the floor, sweat dripping from her forehead. I shook her gently, calling her name.

"Alesa, wake up!"

But she didn't respond. I knew I had to act fast.

"Alesa!" I screamed, calling my brothers for help.

We rushed her to the hospital, fear gripping my heart.

"Please, let her be okay," I silently prayed.

At the hospital, the doctors took Alesa in for examination. I paced anxiously outside.

"I have an urgent work call," I told my brothers. "Keep me posted."

Dylan took Colton and Alexa home while Alex stayed with Alesa.

Three hours passed before Alex called.

"Alesa's awake," he said.

I sprinted back to the hospital.

Inside Alesa's room, she struggled to meet our eyes. When our gazes finally met, tears streamed down her face.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Before I could respond, the doctor entered.

"Can I speak with her legal guardian?" he asked.

I nodded.

"The asthma attack was triggered by panic and lack of inhaler," the doctor explained. "But there's more."

His hesitation sent a chill down my spine.

"Alesa's body shows signs of prolonged abuse - broken ribs, severe bruising... And she's been raped, multiple times."

My world crumbled.

How could this happen? Why didn't she tell me?

My brothers' faces mirrored my shock and fury.

Alexa remained silent, her expression unreadable.

As we exited the doctor's office, I halted my brothers.

"Listen," I whispered.

We eavesdropped on Alexa and Alesa's conversation.

"I know you faked it so you wouldn't have to leave," Alexa accused.

"I didn't fake anything! You lied to everyone," Alesa countered.

Their argument revealed the truth - Alexa's manipulation and Alesa's innocence.

We re-entered the room, faces neutral.

Alesa apologized profusely, tears streaming down her face.

"How can she take blame for something she never did?" I thought.

My brothers exchanged guilty glances, anger simmering beneath.

"No one's mad at you, Alesa," I assured, embracing her.

But inside, I seethed.

How could Alexa betray her own twin?

As we left the hospital, silence hung heavy.

Only Alesa's sniffles broke the tension. Back home, Alexa's expression remained impassive.
But I saw through her facade. Tonight, I'd confront her. For now, I focused on Alesa.

"We're here for you," I whispered.

A small smile crossed her lips.

At that moment, I vowed to protect Alesa from harm. No one would ever hurt her again.
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