Chapter 7: The Doctor Who Knew Too Much
I drove to the address Vanessa sent me with one thought repeating in my mind.
Find the truth before she does.
The location was an old medical office on the edge of town. The building looked abandoned from the outside, with cracked windows and a faded sign hanging above the entrance.
But Vanessa’s car was parked in front.
She wanted me to find this place.
That was the part I couldn’t understand.
If Vanessa was hiding something, why lead me directly to the answers?
Unless…
She wasn’t afraid of the truth.
She was afraid of what I would do when I learned it.
I parked across the street and watched the building.
A few minutes later, I saw Vanessa walk out.
She wasn’t alone.
An older man followed behind her.
The moment I saw his face, I recognized him.
Dr. Harris.
Emily’s doctor.
The man who had been with my wife during her final months.
My hands tightened around the steering wheel.
Why was he meeting Vanessa?
I waited until Vanessa drove away.
Then I walked inside.
The front door was unlocked.
The hallway smelled like dust and old medicine.
“Dr. Harris?””
No answer.
I walked deeper into the building.
Then I heard a voice.
“Daniel?””
I turned.
Dr. Harris stood in the doorway.
He looked older than I remembered.
Tired.
Guilty.
“You know who I am,” I said.
He swallowed.
“I’ve known who you are for ten years.””
My heart sank.
“What does that mean?””
He looked away.
“Emily wanted to tell you.””
“Tell me what?””
The doctor closed his eyes.
“Everything.””
I stepped closer.
“Then start.””
He motioned toward his office.
Inside, old files covered the desk.
Photos.
Documents.
Medical records.
And on top of everything was a picture of Emily holding newborn Sophie.
I stared at it.
“Why do you have that?””
Dr. Harris sat down slowly.
“Because I promised Emily I would protect her.””
“She’s dead.””
His face tightened.
“I know.””
“Then why did you keep secrets from me?””
The silence answered before he did.
Finally, he said:
“Because Emily believed you would do exactly what you’re doing now.””
“What?””
“Go after Vanessa.””
I felt anger rise.
“My daughter was hurt because of Vanessa.””
“I know.””
“She stole from Sophie.””
“I know.””
“She lied to me for years.””
“I know.””
I slammed my hand onto the desk.
“Then why did nobody tell me?””
Dr. Harris looked at me.
“Because Emily was afraid.””
I froze.
“Afraid of Vanessa?””
“No.””
The doctor’s voice became quieter.
“She was afraid of losing you.””
I stared at him.
“That doesn’t make sense.””
Dr. Harris opened a drawer.
He pulled out a small envelope.
“Emily discovered something shortly after Sophie was born.””
“What?””
He handed me the envelope.
Inside was a DNA test.
I scanned the page.
My eyes moved across the results.
Then stopped.
I couldn’t breathe.
“No.””
Dr. Harris looked at me sadly.
“Daniel…”
“No.””
I pushed the paper away.
“This is wrong.””
“It isn’t.””
My hands shook.
The result was clear.
The probability number.
The names.
The conclusion.
I looked at him.
“You’re telling me Sophie isn’t my biological daughter?””
The doctor didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
The pain hit harder than anything Vanessa had ever done.
Every memory.
Every night I held Sophie.
Every birthday.
Every time she called me Daddy.
All of it suddenly felt like it was slipping away.
“Who is her father?””
Dr. Harris looked toward the window.
“That’s what Emily was trying to find out.””
“Trying?””
His expression changed.
“Because she never got the chance.””
I grabbed his arm.
“Who is it?””
Before he could answer, the office door opened.
Vanessa stood there.
My blood went cold.
She looked at the DNA test in my hand.
And smiled.
“Now you understand.””
I stepped toward her.
“You knew.””
Vanessa walked inside slowly.
“Yes.””
“How long?””
“Since before you married me.””
The room spun.
“Why?””
She looked at the photo of baby Sophie.
“Because Emily stole something that belonged to me.””
I stared at her.
“What are you talking about?””
May you like
Vanessa smiled sadly.
“Your daughter.””
