Melody's POV
There was light everywhere warm, golden, and unreal.
I stood in the middle of it, barefoot on soft grass. The sky above looked like sunset had spilled across it, painting everything in amber.
I knew this place. The old field behind our house. But it had burned down years ago.
"I must be dead," I whispered.
"No, not yet."
I spun. There they were. My mother. My father.
Whole. Smiling.
My breath caught. "This… this isn't real."
My mother walked forward. Tucked a strand of hair behind my ear like she used to. "It doesn't have to be real to matter."
I felt five years old again. I threw myself into their arms.
Warmth. Safety. Home.
"You died," I whispered against their shoulders. "You both died and I couldn't save you."
My father squeezed me tighter. "It wasn't your fault, baby girl."
Tears leaked out before I could stop them.
"But… I miss you so much."
They pulled back.
And their smiles were gentle… but hesitant.
"There's something we couldn't tell you before," my mother said softly. "We never had time."
My stomach twisted. "What do you mean?"
"You weren't alone when you were born," my father added. "You have a brother. A twin."
The world tilted.
"What?"
"Marc," my mother said. "His name was Marc. We… we gave him away to protect you both. But he's alive. Out there."
I shook my head. "No. No, that doesn't make sense. I would've known I would've felt it."
"You will," my father said.
"Where is he? Why…? Why didn't you tell me this before? Is he in danger? Is he…"
The world began to crack.
Literally. The sky split like glass. Their faces blurred.
"No! Wait! Please…don't go. Not yet. Please…tell me more…"
But they were already fading.
And I was already waking up.
I jolted. Pain exploded through my chest.
Machines beeped. Tubes pressed against my skin.
I blinked. Cold white ceiling.
Hospital. But my mind still echoing with their voices.
Marc. A twin brother I never knew I had.
Were they real? Or just the pain talking?
I didn't know.
But I couldn't shake the feeling that something inside me had shifted.