Chapter 9: The Doctor Who Vanished
Everything around me became quiet.
The coffee shop was full of people.
Someone laughed near the counter.
A child dropped a spoon.
A blender started behind the bar.
But all I could hear was my heartbeat.
The man standing near the door was the person connected to the biggest mystery of my life.
Dr. Richard Vale.
The doctor whose name appeared on the hidden document.
The doctor who disappeared.
He looked older than the picture.
His hair was gray.
His shoulders were bent.
But his eyes were the same.
I knew those eyes.
Not because I had seen them before.
Because they looked like someone carrying a secret.
Daniel stood.
"What are you doing here?""
Dr. Vale looked at him.
"I could ask you the same question.""
My voice interrupted them.
"Why are you here?""
The doctor looked at me.
And for a moment, he didn't speak.
Then he said:
"Because I knew this day would come.""
My stomach tightened.
"You knew I would find out?""
He looked down.
"Eventually.""
I felt anger rising.
"Seventeen years.""
His eyes moved back to mine.
"I know.""
"No, you don't.""
My voice became louder.
"You don't know what it feels like to have everyone tell you to be proud of yourself while you wonder why someone hid the truth from you.""
The coffee shop became quieter.
Dr. Vale accepted every word.
"I know I caused pain.""
I stared at him.
"What happened to me?""
He sat down slowly.
Daniel remained standing.
"Tell her.""
Dr. Vale looked at the table.
"When you were born, there was a mistake.""
The words felt too simple.
"A mistake?""
He nodded.
"A mistake that should have been reported.""
I leaned closer.
"What kind of mistake?""
He swallowed.
"The hospital was testing a new treatment program.""
My hands tightened.
"And my mother was part of it?""
"No.""
The answer came quickly.
"Your mother never agreed to anything experimental.""
I looked confused.
"Then what happened?""
Dr. Vale closed his eyes.
"Your records were changed after your birth.""
My heart stopped.
"By who?""
He didn't answer.
That silence was an answer itself.
Daniel stepped forward.
"You know who.""
Dr. Vale looked at him.
"I know who was responsible.""
"Then say the name.""
The doctor looked at me.
"I'm sorry.""
Those words made my anger grow.
"Don't apologize. Tell me.""
He took a deep breath.
Then he whispered:
"The person who changed your records...""
A phone rang.
Everyone looked down.
It was Dr. Vale's phone.
He checked the screen.
His face immediately changed.
Fear.
Real fear.
He answered.
"Hello?""
Nobody spoke.
Then Dr. Vale stood suddenly.
"No.""
He looked at me.
The color drained from his face.
"I told you she would eventually find out.""
My heart raced.
"Who is that?""
He didn't answer.
The person on the phone said something that made him freeze.
Then Dr. Vale whispered:
"They know you're here.""
The call ended.
Daniel looked toward the window.
"What did they say?""
Dr. Vale slowly lowered the phone.
Then he looked directly at me.
"Maya...""
His voice trembled.
"The person who hid the truth from you has been following your story since the competition.""
I felt cold.
"Who?""
Dr. Vale looked toward the door.
May you like
And said the one name nobody expected.
"Your coach.""
