The Visit

Aurora's POV I woke before sunrise with a heavy knot twisting inside my stomach. I sat up on the narrow mattress, placed a flat hand over my belly, and let out a long breath. “Just get the folder and walk away,” I whispered into the quiet room. I pulled on a simple sweater and jeans, tied my hair into a ponytail, and slipped my old house key into my coat pocket. The blue file was the only thing I needed. Once I had my biotechnology certificate and university transcripts, I would never have to see any of them again. I took the early morning bus across town. By the time the bus stopped near the familiar gates of the Brooks estate, my hands were freezing inside my pockets. The mansion looked as grand and untouched as ever. Tall black iron gates, manicured lawns, and huge glass windows reflecting the pale morning sun. I stood on the sidewalk for a brief second, looking at the place where I had spent twenty-three years of my life. Then I pushed the past out of my mind, walked down the side driveway, and unlocked the service door. The lock turned with a soft click. I stepped inside and kicked off my shoes, carrying them in my hand so my footsteps would not echo across the polished marble floors. I just wanted to reach the stairs without alerting the household staff. Then I heard a giggle. The sound came from the main living room. I froze. I recognized that voice anywhere. Sophie. I peeked around the heavy archway, and my chest seized. Sophie was curled up on the long white sofa, leaning back against Asher’s chest. His arm was wrapped possessively around her waist, his head tilted down toward her shoulder. On the glass coffee table sat two half-empty champagne flutes and a glossy stack of bridal magazines. Asher pressed a soft kiss to her temple. Sophie smiled, tapping a finger against a picture of a designer wedding dress. They looked completely comfortable. Not a single trace of shame or guilt crossed either of their faces. They were acting like a king and a queen in the very room where Asher had once promised to marry me. A bitter taste filled my mouth. I had promised myself I would not let them hurt me again. I turned quietly toward the staircase. “Who is that sneaking around?” Sophie’s sharp voice cut through the quiet room. I stopped on the first step. Asher sat up straight, his face freezing the moment his eyes landed on me. “Aurora? What the hell are you doing here?” I turned around, keeping my face blank. “I forgot something.” Sophie rose from the sofa, smoothing down her designer silk robe. “Look who shamelessly crawled back.” “I will be gone in five minutes,” I said evenly. Asher stood up beside her, frowning. “You were told never to show your face here again. You have no right to enter this house.” I almost laughed at the nerve of him. “I lived in this house for twenty-three years, Asher. You have been sleeping here for less than three weeks.” His jaw tightened. Sophie stepped forward, crossing her arms. “Do not start drama in my home, Aurora. What could you possibly want?” “My official academic files,” I said. “Nothing that belongs to you.” I did not wait for an answer. I turned my back on them and walked straight up the stairs. My old bedroom felt completely foreign. The maids had stripped the bed down to a bare mattress, my books were cleared out, and my graduation picture was nowhere in sight. They had wiped away every trace of me in just a few days. I swallowed the ache in my throat, walked over to the mahogany desk, and yanked open the top drawer. My blue leather file was resting in the corner. A wave of pure relief hit me. I pulled it out and slid it into my handbag, right beside the white clinic envelope containing my twin ultrasound scans. I zipped the bag shut and headed straight back down the stairs. Sophie was waiting at the foot of the staircase with Asher hovering close behind her. Her eyes dropped straight to my shoulder. “Show me what you took.” “My own university papers,” I said, keeping my pace steady. “Excuse me.” I moved to walk past her, but Sophie stepped directly into my path. “How do we know you did not steal my jewelry?” she sneered. “A girl with no money gets desperate fast.” “Get out of my way, Sophie.” “Let me see the bag.” She reached out and snatched the leather strap. “Stop touching my things!” I yelled, yanking back with all my strength. The worn strap snapped under the force. My handbag flew out of my hands and slammed hard against the marble floor, spilling its contents across the tiles. My notebooks, my keys, my wallet, and the blue file scattered everywhere. And sliding out from between the blue papers was the white clinic folder. It flipped open right between Sophie’s bare feet. The bold black print on the clinic header stared up into the bright morning light: PREGNANCY TEST: POSITIVE. Beside it lay the ultrasound scan showing two distinct dark shadows side by side. The room went dead silent. Asher looked down at the paper, his mouth open in shock. Sophie slowly bent down and picked up the paper. Her eyes scanned the doctor's notes, moving from the test result to the word Twins. Her face went completely still for three whole seconds. Then, the widest, most vicious smile spread across her red lips. “Oh my God,” Sophie whispered, looking up at me with pure venom in her eyes. “Look at this, Asher.”