Lydia's POV
I woke up from sleep, a serious headache washing over me. I looked at my surroundings, the strangeness of the place taking me by surprise. "Where am I?" I muttered, staring at the unfamiliar room I found myself in. It was a small space with an ancient setting and style. The bed I was lying on was fit for one person and looked old.
I sat up, still confused, the headache worsening. "Ah!" I screamed in pain. I kept wondering where I was until I heard hurried steps approaching the room. Fear gripped me as I buried my face in my palms. The door opened, but I stayed in that position, too afraid to move or see who had entered.
"Are you alright?" came a soft, calm voice a woman's voice. She touched my forehead, causing me to flinch. "So sorry for that, dear. Come, take your medicine while it's still hot," she said gently, patting my back.
"Maybe she's not harmful," I thought, cautiously raising my head. My eyes met hers, and I was amazed. She was so beautiful, with captivating brown eyes. Her traditional attire was far from what I had expected. I looked away, unsure of what would happen next. I didn't know where I was or how I'd gotten here. The last thing I remembered was sinking in my bathtub, allowing myself to embrace a peaceful death. "Is this some sort of joke?" I asked myself, trying to piece things together.
I looked away, my mind flooded with questions.
"Lydia… don't worry. Mother is here. You're safe," the woman said, her words leaving me more confused. "How does she know my name?" I wondered, the confusion taking over. In my previous world, I never had the chance to meet my mother, but seeing this woman today gave me a deep, inexplicable sense of connection.
"Mother…" I whispered softly, and to my surprise, her eyes lit up, a sad smile forming on her face. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she nodded and wiped away a tear rolling down her cheek.
"Yes, dear. Do you recognize me now?" she asked, her eyes filled with expectation. I didn't know how to feel, but her reaction was undeniably genuine. I didn't want to break her heart, so I nodded slowly. Her face broke into a teary smile, and she pulled me into a big, comforting hug.
I stiffened. I wasn't used to such gestures. In my past life, I lived independently, without depending on my father or siblings. To be honest, I didn't have a close relationship with them. Bonding was nonexistent. It didn't bother me, though I spent all my time working as the CEO of my family's company, helping my aging father.
She withdrew from the embrace and touched my face, smiling warmly. "I'm glad you can remember me now, Lydia. take your medicine," she said, taking a cup from the bedside table. Steam rose from the cup as she opened it and gently handed it to me.
I hesitated, unsure of what to do. "Am I supposed to drink this?" I thought, staring at the liquid. The woman, who had called herself my mother, looked deeply into my eyes and gave me a reassuring smile. I cautiously brought the cup to my lips and sipped. The warm liquid flowed into my mouth, its bitterness overwhelming. I frowned, reluctant to swallow.
"Drink. It's good for your health," she encouraged gently. Closing my eyes, I forced myself to swallow. After a few breaths, I poured the rest into my mouth and gulped it down.
She smiled and took the cup from me, placing it gently on the table. The bitterness lingered in my mouth, almost making me retch . "Have some rest, dear. I'll send Laura to bring your breakfast later," she said, urging me to lie down. She covered me with a woven quilt that felt warm and comforting. I closed my eyes, letting her leave, but as soon as she was gone, I sat up again, scanning my surroundings.
I held my breath for several seconds wondering if I was dead and in the afterlife, but I exhaled sharply, panting heavily. "Am I really alive?" I whispered, touching my face. My skin felt soft and tender, as it had always been which was normal to me . I looked at my hands and gasped they appeared smaller, like when I was much younger.
I climbed out of bed and walked cautiously to the old-fashioned mirror hanging on the wall. Sitting in the chair nearby, I stared at my reflection and gasped again. I looked far younger just like how I look like when i was a teenager, as though I'd gone back in time which made me more confused.
I inspected my arm, searching for the scar I'd gotten from an accident as a teenager. It had disappeared as I grew older, but to my shock, it was not a scar but a healing wound and My heart raced. "Did I travel back in time?" I whispered, my mind racing with thousand questions. If I had gone back in time, why was I in this ancient room? I vividly remembered being born into wealth and living in luxury .
Still lost in thought, I was startled by a gentle knock on the door. Before I could respond, the door opened, and the sight of the person who entered left me utterly shocked.
"Laura?" I uttered, unable to hide my surprise. She was my younger sister—I recognized her instantly.
"Sister…" Laura said, her eyes filling with tears. She placed the tray she brought on the table and pulled me into a tight hug, her sobs filled the air. "We thought we had lost you, sister. I'm so glad you're back," she said, her voice tremulous .
I gently patted her back, unsure where the instinct had come from. She withdrew from the embrace and looked at my face, smiling but then, her eyes glowed blue, and fear gripped me.