In a coma

*** Flashback ***

Ashley

I am Ashley Ruiz. I am a mistress, a lover, or whatever other name people call someone who is in a relationship with a married person. The only difference is I'm worse than them because I am stealing my own sister's husband. Not just any sister—my twin.

It all started when I opened my eyes after being in a coma due to an accident I was in with my parents and my twin sister, Ashlyn. Her face was the first thing I saw, and even though I couldn't remember anything, I immediately felt comfortable with her. I could feel her love and worry for me, and the slight smile on her lips brought me a strange happiness. I thought I must have worried her so much because she looked like she hadn't slept.

"Are you feeling okay?" she asked. I took a moment to feel my body before answering. My body still hurt a little, but I didn't want her to worry, so I said,

"Not too much. But who are you?" The smile on her lips faded when she heard my question, and she looked at the doctor who had just come in.

"She doesn't recognize me, Doc," she said.

"Let me check her," the doctor said, and she stepped back to give space. The doctor asked me a few questions, and I answered them as best as possible.

"She also had head trauma, so she has temporary amnesia. Don't worry; her memory will return eventually. I'll prescribe some medicine, and just like you, she needs to take it regularly," the doctor said. We both nodded before the doctor left.

"I have amnesia, and so do you?" I asked, confused.

"Yes, we're twins, and our car crashed while we were with Mom and Dad," she answered. I wondered why our voices sounded almost identical, except mine was a bit hoarse. I touched my throat and rubbed it.

"Here, I know you're thirsty. I was the same when I woke up; my throat was dry," she said, handing me a glass of water. I took it and drank.

"How are our parents?" I asked, noticing the sadness on her gentle face. She was on the verge of tears, and I got worried. "Hey," I said softly.

"I'm sorry, they're gone," she said, and then she couldn't stop crying. Even though I couldn't remember them, I felt the pain of knowing that our parents were no longer with us, and I couldn't stop myself from crying, too.

After a while, we both calmed down. "Stay at our house," she said. "I already told Marco, and he agreed."

"Marco?" I asked, confused.

"He's my husband. Don't worry, he's nice."

"But isn't it embarrassing if I live with you? I mean, you need privacy."

"What are you saying? We're not just sisters; we're twins. I won't let you be alone because I know you'll be lonely. And it's only temporary. Once you regain your memory, you can decide whether to move out or stay. But for now, I want us to be together," she said, her voice sincere.

To be honest, I was touched. We must be really close for her to be this caring. I smiled and agreed to her offer. When I feel better, I'll ask if I can leave and live on my own.

"Thank God. I would just worry too much if we lived apart. At least this way, I can make sure you're safe."

"I think I'm old enough for you not to worry that much. But I'll let you know this time since I have no idea about myself. I can't remember anything and I'm confused," I replied. She then told me a few things about us.

"We're really close and share everything," she said. "But what I told you is just what my husband said because I still can't remember anything about our past."

"How long was I unconscious?"

"It's been a month. But I was only unconscious for three days. Ever since I woke up and found out about your condition, I never missed a day visiting you and talking to you because the doctor said it would help you wake up."

Wow, a month? I've been lying here for a month? No wonder my back hurts, and my body feels so heavy. Then I suddenly remembered, "What's your name again? And what's mine? How come I've been in that state for so long, but I feel fine now?"

"The doctor said all your vitals are okay; you just don't wake up." I nodded but still asked myself why?

"I'm Ashlyn, and you're Ashley. Marco said I'm older than you. Maybe that's why I'm so protective of you," she answered, smiling.

"You're so funny! You're talking like we had a huge age gap, but I'm sure it's just a few minutes." I said, laughing, which made her laugh too.

"Marco said I always insist I'm older because I like being the older sister. I always take care of you, and it makes me happy. Talking to you right now, I know he's telling the truth."

"I feel so light with you; I think you really take good care of me. Don't worry; if I was stubborn before the accident, I'd be good now, especially when it's just the two of us are left in this world." I told her. I also promised myself that I would take care of her, too.

We talked for a while but didn't talk about our parents. Her husband only mentioned that our mom and dad were very kind, but that was all.

They hadn't been married that long, only six months. They were always out of town during that time because they were still in the honeymoon stage.

Ashlyn didn't leave me. She even cared for my discharge papers, but my doctor didn't allow it yet. He said I still needed to be observed to ensure I was completely fine. "Don't worry, I'll fix your room in the penthouse. We're staying there because it's close to the hospital. Marco doesn't want me to travel far, so he decided we'd stay there for now so I can easily visit you."

"It's fine, wherever your house is," I replied. "I'm just staying with you; I shouldn't be picky!" I said, laughing.

A little later, someone knocked on my hospital room, and we both looked in the direction when it opened. Then, the most handsome man I thought I'd ever seen walked in. He was smiling, but not at me—but at my twin. "Am I late?" he asked.

"No, the doctor still won't let Ashley go home, so we can't take her with us yet," Ashlyn answered before giving him a warm kiss. I didn't know what to do because I felt out of place. And from that scene, I was sure this was Marco.

"Well, let's just leave her here. Since she's awake, she can probably take care of herself now, and you don't need to stay here anymore." Marco said.

I was shocked by what he said. "What? You've been sleeping here?"

"Yes, she couldn't rest until she was sure you were okay," Marco answered instead of Ashlyn. It would've been fine, but why did he seem angry with me?

"Marco," Ashlyn scolded him, maybe because she felt the hostility in his tone. "Is there a problem with the company?" my twin asked him as if that was the real reason for his tone.

"I'm just tired. Aren't we going home yet?" he asked.

"Go ahead, you can go home. I can care for myself, and calling the nurse is easy." I urged them to leave. Maybe Marco was getting irritated because Ashlyn spent all her time with me and had no time for him.

"Are you sure?" she asked, making sure.

"Yes, go ahead. Your husband is tired. I can take care of myself now." I answered.

"Okay, but I'll leave instructions with the nurses to call me if anything happens."

"You do what you need to do," I said so they would finally leave. The annoyance on Marco's face was clear. I wondered if he was okay with me staying with them.

I was left alone in my room when I felt overwhelming sadness. I remembered our parents were gone, and now I had to live with Ashlyn and Marco.

And Marco was so handsome, and I couldn't help but admire him. That night, he was all I could think about, so I kept shaking my head because it wasn't right for me to think of him. He's my sister's husband. Not just a sister but my twin.