Chapter 5
The girl in the mirror
Roselyn Scarlet’s POV (Elena’s Mother)
Just as we sat down in the doctor’s office.
"Doctor, what is wrong with our daughter?" my husband asked, with fear written all over his face while I sat in tears.
"Please calm down sir," the doctor said. "Elena has been diagnosed with short-term memory loss. But with her family and friends around, her memory will likely return in a short time. Let’s stay hopeful."
I almost fell from my seat, but the firm grip of my husband held me in place.
"What can we do quickly to help restore her memory?" my husband asked.
“Show her old photos and videos,” the doctor replied gently. “Keep her around familiar voices and places. Just being with you, hearing your voices—it matters more than you think. And if she has close friends from school, seeing them might help too.”
“Thank you doctor” my husband responded, as he helped me up and we walked out of the doctors office.
***
I thought I would never have to experience pain again after marrying Doe—but I guess nature had other plans. I cried until my eyes were red and swollen, and all the while, my husband stayed beside me, he held me close trying to console me. Elena was also his entire world—his little princess for sixteen years. We had tried to have another child five years after Elena was born, but fate said no.
"Maybe I shouldn’t have told her about Adrian," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"Maybe you shouldn’t have shouted at her. Now she can’t even remember us," I added as he lowered his head in regret.
"The doctor said she’ll be fine. Let’s be hopeful, okay? Please don’t cry," he said softly, pulling me into a warm hug.
Just then, Adrian’s mother rushed into the hospital.
"My friend!" she exclaimed, hurrying toward us, with a worried face. "I’m so sorry for what happened. How is she now?"
"She’s stable. The doctor said she needs a lot of rest," my husband replied.
Tessa’s POV
I woke up with a sharp pain shooting through my waist.
A gentle hand held me.
I was still disoriented when I heard her voice.
"Thank goodness you’re finally awake, darling," the woman said. "Your father just stepped out for a business call. He’ll be back soon."
I scoffed. "I don’t have a father, please I have a competition today...I really need to go."
I glanced at the wall clock—it was 10 a.m. I sat up, her hand still gently on my shoulder.
"You see? I’m fine now and I can talk. I just really need to go before I miss everything, please."
But she held me still still, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"Elena, the doctor said you lost your memory because of the emotional pressure you were under before the accident. But you’ll be fine soon—with family and friends around."
"Sorry, ma’am… who’s Elena?" I asked, blinking. "I’m not Elena. You don’t have to do all this, but I appreciate it. Honestly."
Just then, a guy walked in holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Elena, I’m so sorry," he said, rushing toward me. "I shouldn’t have let you ride alone. I’ll never forgive myself for what happened."
I burst out laughing.
"Why is everyone calling me Elena? Is this some kind of prank? Did I fall into a movie set or what?"
I looked up at him, "What’s your name?"
"I’m Zane, your friend," he replied, his face filled with regret.
"Nice to meet you, Zane. I really hope this confusion clears up soon."
But their faces said otherwise—like this wasn’t a joke at all. Then I noticed—my hair was longer and blonde, my clothes were different, they were not the ones I wore before the accident, then a chill ran down my spine.
"What year is it?" I asked the woman, thinking maybe I had time-traveled or been in a coma for a long while.
"It’s 2025, Elena. You had an accident just three days ago," she said gently.
Oh, it’s only been three days, I thought to myself, letting out a sigh of relief. But then it clicked...
“Wait, what? Three days ago? How? I was supposed to be at a competition on Saturday—and you’re telling me today is Monday? She just stared at me like I was speaking a different language.
I was still thinking of how to escape the hospital when a beautiful girl and a tall guy entered. They both wore fancy school uniforms and glittering jewelry.
The girl who should be around my age, had elegant features and wavy brown hair—she rushed to me and hugged me tightly. I stiffened.
"You’ll be okay, alright? I can’t wait to have you back," she said, turning to the woman beside me. "Good morning, Mother."
"Morning, Isabella. How are you?"
"I’m fine, Mother. I barely dodged the paparazzi outside, they’re trying to get in, but security’s holding them off. How did word get out about Elena’s accident?"
"I don’t know, darling. But thank God she’s alive and well," the woman replied.
The guy just stood close by quietly, "Hey Elena, how are you feeling now?” he asked.
Wow, these people must be crazy, I thought to myself.
"Excuse me, ma’am," Zane said suddenly, stepping out. His eyes were red, like he was trying not to cry.
I shifted in bed, uneasy, feeling the pressure in my bladder. "Can I use the restroom, please?"
"Of course," the woman said, and the lady who was my age quickly came to help me stand.
As I walked, I took in everything—the beeping monitors, the clean scent of disinfectant, the shiny floors that echoed every step. This place felt like something out of a movie—far too clean and grand for someone like me.
As I entered the restroom, I passed a mirror—and froze.
Did I just see a ghost?
I stepped back and checked again.
"Arrrrrrgh!" I screamed. "Who is this? Why am I in a stranger’s body?!"
I stumbled backward with a pounding heart.Then I looked closer, squinting at the mirror, and my heart skipped.
Wait… I know this face.
No… no, this can’t be real.
This is Elena Scarlet.
I held my hair, with a shaky finger. Was that why everyone kept calling me Elena?
Oh my God… what is this?
I leaned closer, staring again at the girl in the mirror. My lips parted, but no words came out. My whole body felt cold, like I wasn’t even standing on solid ground anymore.
Am I dreaming?
Or worse—
Am I… dead?
Chapter 5The girl in the mirrorRoselyn Scarlet’s POV (Elena’s Mother)Just as we sat down in the doctor’s office."Doctor, what is wrong with our daughter?" my husband asked, with fear written all over his face while I sat in tears."Please calm down sir," the doctor said. "Elena has been diagnosed with short-term memory loss. But with her family and friends around, her memory will likely return in a short time. Let’s stay hopeful."I almost fell from my seat, but the firm grip of my husband held me in place."What can we do quickly to help restore her memory?" my husband asked.“Show her old photos and videos,” the doctor replied gently. “Keep her around familiar voices and places. Just being with you, hearing your voices—it matters more than you think. And if she has close friends from school, seeing them might help too.”“Thank you doctor” my husband responded, as he helped me up and we walked out of the doctors office.***I thought I would never have to experience pain again af
Chapter 4A Collision of FateTessa’s POV“You called me, sir,” I said.“Yes,” Mr. Tibi smiled gently.“How’s preparation for the competition going?”“Fine, sir.”He had told me about the competition two months ago and gave me study materials, which I went through every night after work. I wanted nothing more than to win. He said if our school came first, I’d get a full scholarship to one of the best colleges in America, and that that thought alone pushed me to study even harder.“There’s a new development. Each school must now send two representatives.”“Oh really? That’s great news.”“Yes. You’ll be going with Jessica since she’s the second-best student.”“Alright, sir,” I replied, hiding how uneasy I felt.I didn’t trust Jessica. A few days ago, she lied to her boyfriend, claiming I reported them for kissing behind the school. He believed her, and he beat me to a pulp.“The competition is in seven days. Your flights are already booked,” he continued. “Mr. Wilson and Miss Rachel wi
Chapter 3Behind the scarTessa’s POVI woke up in a clinic, the white lights stung my eyes for a moment before I saw Catherine sitting beside me.“Hey, Catherine,” I said, as she rushed to hold my hands. “What happened?”“You collapsed, Tessa. You fainted right in the middle of the restaurant. How are you feeling now?” she asked, with a concerned look. “You really need to rest.”Just then, the door slammed open. It was our manager.“Just know there’s no salary for you this month!” he barked, not even asking if I was okay. “The hospital bills and the food you spoiled, it's all coming out of your pay.”He didn’t wait for a reply, with a huff, he turned and walked out. Catherine stayed for a while, then left too when she saw I needed rest.Left alone, I stared at the ceiling, tears slowly slipping down the corners of my eyes. How was I supposed to survive the next month with no money?I lost both of my parents when I was little. My mom died when I was two, and my dad followed just thre
Chapter 2 Scars they can’t seeTessa’s POVA rural area in West Virginia. A slap across my face sent me crashing to the floor again.“How dare you report us?” Jimmy growled, standing over me. My cheek stung as I held it, trying to get up.“Report who?” I winced in pain, confused.He slapped me again — harder this time — blurring my vision.Jimmy was one of the most feared boys in our class, big, mean, and always surrounded by people too scared to challenge him. Even teachers walked on eggshells around him and I once overheard someone whisper that he was part of a cult group outside school.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said weakly, still holding my throbbing cheek.Standing next to him was his ever-present friend Ben and his girlfriend Jessica, who was glaring at me with triumph in her eyes while Ben grinned like he was enjoying every second of what was happening.Jessica smirked as she stepped forward with her arms folded.“She’s lying, Jimmy,” she said sharply. “She
Chapter 1Crashing Into FreedomElena Scarlet’s POV“Mum, I’m not getting engaged to that boy! I don’t even like him!” I snapped, folding my arms, with disgust written all over my face.She hadn’t even let me change out of my school uniform before dropping the bomb that I had an official meetup scheduled—with Adrian—that weekend.“Elena,” she said gently, “you know we’ve been family friends since before you were born. Adrian’s mum and I made that promise when she was pregnant. It would mean the world to me if you honored it.”She gave me that pleading gaze—the one that always caved me into doing whatever she wanted. But not today.“I don’t care what promise you made, Mum. I’m not getting engaged to Adrian, and that’s on period!” My words came out louder than I intended, fueled by the anger building in my chest.“You do not talk to your mother like that!” my dad’s voice rang angrily from the doorway. He had just walked in and looked furious.My heart skipped; he had never shouted at m