Chapter 6: The Woman Daniel Wanted Forgotten
I couldn’t speak.
The name on the paper felt impossible.
*Rachel Carter.*
Daniel’s first wife.
The woman everyone told me not to mention.
When I married Daniel, I knew he had been divorced.
He told me Rachel left because she was unstable.
He told me she abandoned him.
He told me she caused problems.
And I believed him.
Because he was the person standing in front of me.
Because he was charming.
Because he knew exactly what to say.
Dr. Harris watched my reaction.
“You know this name?””
I slowly nodded.
“She was Daniel’s first wife.””
Maya looked confused.
“Mom?””
I forced myself to focus.
“Sweetheart, I’m here.””
Dr. Harris closed the file.
“We need to ask you some questions about Rachel.””
“Why?””
“Because the records we found suggest she experienced similar symptoms before she disappeared.””
The room became silent.
Disappeared.
That was the word.
Not left.
Not moved away.
Disappeared.
“What symptoms?””
The doctor looked down.
“Stomach pain. Weight loss. Fatigue.””
My hand went cold.
The same things Maya had been experiencing.
I sat down slowly.
“No.””
Dr. Harris looked at me.
“No?””
“No, Daniel told me Rachel was fine.””
“Did he say she received medical treatment?””
I thought back.
“No.””
“Did he say why their marriage ended?””
I swallowed.
“He said she was difficult.””
The doctor exchanged a glance with the nurse.
That glance told me everything.
I felt sick.
Because suddenly, Maya’s pain wasn’t just a medical mystery.
It was a warning.
A warning I had almost ignored.
After the doctor left, I called Emily.
She answered immediately.
“I was wondering when you’d call.””
My voice shook.
“You knew about Rachel.””
A long silence.
“Yes.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because Daniel made sure nobody would.””
I closed my eyes.
“Tell me everything.””
Emily sighed.
“I should have done it years ago.””
“Then start now.””
Her voice became quieter.
“Rachel discovered Daniel was hiding financial problems.””
I frowned.
“What does that have to do with Maya?””
“I don’t know.””
“Emily.””
She hesitated.
“Rachel started asking questions. Then she got sick.””
My heart raced.
“And?””
“And Daniel told everyone she was imagining things.””
I looked at Maya sleeping.
“He did the same thing to my daughter.””
“Yes.””
The word came immediately.
Too immediately.
“Emily, what are you not telling me?””
She was silent.
Then:
“There was another reason Daniel didn’t want Maya examined.””
“What reason?””
Emily whispered:
“Because the doctor might find something Daniel already knew.””
My entire body froze.
“What?””
“He knew Maya’s symptoms were serious.””
“How?””
A pause.
Then Emily said:
“Because he had the same test results.””
I stood up.
“What test results?””
“He got copies of her medical records before you did.””
My heart pounded.
“That’s impossible.””
“It isn’t.””
The call went silent.
Then Emily said:
“You need to check his office.””
“Why?””
“Because Daniel keeps records.””
I looked toward the hospital door.
“Records of what?””
Her answer came quietly.
“Everyone he has tried to control.””
The call ended.
I stared at my phone.
Then I looked at Maya.
My daughter moved slightly in her sleep.
I made a promise to myself.
I would find the truth.
No matter what it cost.
When I arrived home two hours later, Daniel’s car was gone.
The house was silent.
Too silent.
I walked into his office.
At first, I found nothing.
Then I noticed something strange.
One drawer was locked.
I searched for a key.
Nothing.
Then I remembered something.
Daniel always kept a spare key hidden inside the old clock on his desk.
I opened it.
The key was there.
My hands trembled as I unlocked the drawer.
Inside were folders.
Dozens of them.
I opened the first one.
My blood turned cold.
Because every folder had a name.
And the first one I saw belonged to my daughter.
*MAYA CARTER — MEDICAL HISTORY.*
But underneath it was a handwritten note.
May you like
Three words.
*She knows too much.*
