Chapter 5: The Other Baby
I couldn't stop hearing Lily's words.
The doctor has another baby.
My father had just told me I was adopted, and now my five-year-old daughter was suggesting there was another child connected to whatever had happened to Sarah.
I crouched in front of her.
“Sweetheart, what do you mean?””
Lily rubbed her eyes.
“There's another little girl.””
“Where?””
“In the place where the doctor takes me.””
Melissa covered her mouth.
I turned toward her.
“You knew?””
“No,” she whispered.
“Then how does Lily know?””
Lily looked between us.
“He showed me a picture.””
“What picture?””
She reached into the pocket of her filthy dress and pulled out a small piece of paper.
It was folded into four squares.
I opened it carefully.
A photograph showed two little girls sitting side by side in a hospital room.
One was Lily.
The other had lighter hair and a small scar across her forehead.
They looked almost identical.
On the back was a handwritten note.
*Subject B-17. Transfer pending.*
My hands began trembling.
“What is this?””
Melissa stared at the photograph.
“That's impossible.””
“Why?””
“Because Sarah only had one baby.””
I looked at Lily.
“Did you meet this girl?””
She nodded.
“Her name is Grace.””
“Where is she?””
Lily lowered her eyes.
“The doctor said she's my sister.””
Melissa began pacing.
“No. No, this can't be happening.””
I grabbed my phone.
“We're calling the police.””
Melissa caught my wrist.
“Wait.””
I stared at her.
“What's wrong with you?””
“Your father has connections. Bennett has connections. If you call the wrong person, they'll know before anyone arrives.””
“So what do you suggest? We sit here and wait?””
“No. We need someone Sarah trusted.””
“Who?””
Melissa hesitated.
“Dr. Evelyn Carter.””
I recognized the name.
She had been Sarah's obstetrician before Bennett took over her care.
“Where is she?””
“Retired. She lives outside the city.””
I picked up my jacket.
“Then we're going.””
Before leaving, I called an emergency medical service from a private number and requested an ambulance for Lily. I also contacted the police through the official emergency line, explaining that we had discovered a child being held in a concealed space and needed immediate protection.
Melissa insisted on coming.
Emma refused to leave Lily's side.
I couldn't blame her.
The ambulance arrived within fifteen minutes.
The paramedic who examined Lily went quiet when he saw her condition.
“Sir, she needs immediate evaluation. She's severely underweight and may be dehydrated.””
I kissed the top of Lily's head.
“Is she going to be okay?””
“We'll do everything we can.””
As the paramedics prepared to leave, Lily grabbed my hand.
“Daddy?””
“I'm here.””
“Will Grace be okay too?””
I swallowed.
“Yes, sweetheart. I'll find her.””
At the hospital, Lily was taken into a pediatric examination room.
Emma sat beside me in the waiting area, holding my hand.
Melissa stood near the window.
For almost an hour, none of us spoke.
Finally, my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice whispered, “Ryan? This is Evelyn Carter.””
I stood immediately.
“Dr. Carter?””
“Where are you?””
“At the hospital. My daughter is here.””
There was a long silence.
Then she asked, “Did you find the child behind the wall?””
My stomach tightened.
“How do you know about that?””
“Because Sarah warned me it might happen.””
I looked at Melissa.
She had stopped pacing.
“Doctor, I need you to explain everything.””
“Not over the phone. Are you alone?””
“My wife is here.””
Another silence.
“Then don't let her leave.””
I turned toward Melissa.
“Why?””
Dr. Carter's voice became strained.
“Because five years ago, I delivered two babies.””
The world seemed to stop.
“Two?””
“Yes. Twins.””
I gripped the edge of the counter.
“Sarah had twins?””
“Yes. A girl and another girl. Both were healthy.””
I looked at the photograph in my hand.
Lily and Grace.
Twins.
“Where is the second baby?””
Dr. Carter took a shaky breath.
“Bennett arranged for one of them to be transferred before Sarah regained consciousness.””
“Why?””
“Your father paid for it.””
I closed my eyes.
“How could you let that happen?””
“I tried to stop him. Sarah was still alive, and she begged me to protect both children. But Bennett had already falsified the transfer documents.””
“Who took the second baby?””
“I don't know. But I kept something Sarah left with me.””
“What?””
“A recording.””
I felt my pulse quicken.
“What recording?””
“Sarah made it the night before the accident. She told me that if anything happened to her, I had to give it to you.””
I looked toward the hospital room where Lily was being examined.
“Where are you?””
“At home. But Ryan, listen carefully.””
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
“Your father knows I still have it.””
The call ended.
I immediately tried calling back.
No answer.
I turned toward Melissa.
“Did you know Sarah was having twins?””
Melissa's face drained of color.
“No.””
“Did you know Bennett took one of them?””
“No, Ryan. I swear.””
Then I noticed something.
Melissa was staring at the photograph of Lily and Grace.
Her lips were moving.
I stepped closer.
“What?””
She shook her head.
“It's nothing.””
“Melissa.””
She finally looked at me.
“Ryan, I think I know where the other baby is.””
My heart began pounding.
“Where?””
May you like
She looked toward the elevator.
“Your mother's house.””
