Misunderstanding

Chapter 22(Nathalie POV)

Lisa pushed open the doors of the luxuriant, grand lounge, revealing a sight that immediately captured my attention. Seated on the white sofa with real golden frames were a couple in their forties. As I approached, I couldn't help but notice the woman, her wavy dark brown hair flowing down her back, dabbing a tissue at her face. She wore a stunning white turtleneck dress, elegantly flowing below her knees. Beside her, her husband, Nancy's father, gently embraced her, whispering words of comfort in her ear. 

"Madame, Sir," Lisa greeted them. At that moment, their gaze locked onto me, and they instantly gasped and ran towards me.

"Nancy! Look at you! What has the outside world done to you?!" Madame exclaimed.

"Nancy, do you know how worried we were? This isn't the first time you've run away because you didn't get what you wanted!" the man, Sir, scolded.

"Oh shut up! I'm just happy Nancy is back." With those words, she enveloped me in a tight embrace. I stood there, my arms hanging limply by my sides. How could Nancy's mother show such unconditional love and not blame her for running away? However, as I peered closely at her face, I couldn't help but notice the uncanny resemblance between us - the same doll-shaped face, the same hazel eyes, the same lips...

Could this woman be my mother? My biological mother?

I pursued my lips. If this couple standing in front of me were my biological parents, than they were the ones who had abandoned me on the streets heartlessly, with nothing.

Flash

I remembered being forcefully dragged into a desolate alley by my father, my screams and tears intermingling on my face. At just five years old, I watched as my father threw me against the wall in the ally, while my mother stood behind him, emotionless. My older sister, Nancy, was huddled in her arms.

 In sign language, I asked them why. Why treat me like this.

"Because you're a useless, ugly, mute child! No one will love you!" my father exclaimed, punctuating his words with a kick to my side. 

"Your father is right. Our child will only be Nancy," my mother responded coldly, as they both disappeared from my sight, their figures resolute and unwavering. 

Suddenly, the painful memories resurfaced, and I instinctively pushed the woman standing before me away, fear etching across my face. They called me Nancy. My biological sister, Nancy.

And these two adults... they look so similar to me...

I staggered back and Lisa caught me before I could fall.

"Lady lost her voice and has amnesia," Lisa explained.

"What?! Who did this to my daughter?!" 

Hot tears welled in my eyes, mingling with a burning hatred. I didn't want to be here. This life of luxury didn't belong to me. These parents weren't mine. They abandoned me. But why? I'm Nancy's identical twin, but because I couldn't speak, they ditched me. A single tear trickled down my cheek. 

"Oh, Nancy, what happened..." Her hand reached out to cup my face, but I violently slapped it away.

Don't touch me! Turning abruptly, I ran off, with Lisa calling Nancy's name in pursuit. "Lady Nancy! Lady Nancy! Lady, wait!" 

I paused to catch my breath, clutching the staircase's railing, my knuckles pale. "I'm not your Lady Nancy," I mouthed angrily.

"No, you are! You're just tired and suffering from amnesia." Lisa's voice held determination as she reached out to touch my arm. "Lady, let's go wash up. You can use some of your favorite shampoo, body wash, and perfumes. Put on your favorite nightgown. Maybe it will trigger some memories!" 

Lisa led the numb me into Nancy's bedroom, helping me into the bathtub despite my protests. She pampered me, adding Nancy's treasured bath bombs and flower petals. Half an hour later, she dressed me in a nightgown Nancy had never worn because of my order. I sat on Nancy's bed as she blow-dried my hair. Back at Lord's place, I had always used Angelica's leftover shampoo, and ever since she left, I hadn't touched a shampoo bottle in years.

 Don't even get me started on conditioner. 

I've never felt the feeling of having my hair being blow-dried or wearing such a comfortable silk nightgown.

I ran my finger along the soft mattress. This didn't belong to me; Mother and Father's love; this luxurious treatment; Lisa. None of these are mine. What would they do to me when the real Nancy returns? Kill me? Punish me?

I shuddered.

I suddenly yanked off a strand of hair of mine and handed it over to Lisa. Lisa glanced over to me with a puzzled gaze.

Test my DNA. I want to know if I am related to that woman and man, I mouthed.

"Of course you are related to them! You are their daughter! Their only daughter!"

The last sentence was like a dagger stabbing into my heart. I clenched my trembling hands into fists. Just do it.

"Alright... Lady," Lisa sighed, "as you wish. Please get some rest." She curtsied and left the room with my strand of hair, leaving me alone, biting back tears.