Chapter 7 - THE LAST SECRET IN THE WALL
The investigators found one final clue inside the hidden passage. A loose panel behind the ventilation shaft concealed a small metal box. Inside were two passports, a bank card, and a photograph of a woman Elena did not recognize.
On the back of the photograph were three words: If she wakes.
Vincent brought it to Elena.
She studied it for a long time. “I've seen her.”
“Where?”
“In the passage. Once, before they moved me into the room behind the portrait. She wore a nurse's uniform. She brought the first medicine.”
“Do you know her name?”
“No.”
The investigators identified her as Dr. Marissa Cole, a physician whose license had been suspended after an inquiry into falsified prescriptions. She had been paid through one of Marco's companies.
Vincent's anger returned, but he kept his voice calm.
“Did she hurt you?”
Elena hesitated. “She told me the medicine would help me sleep. After a while, I couldn't remember entire days. Sometimes I woke up and couldn't move.”
The medical team reviewed her records and confirmed prolonged exposure to sedatives. They also found evidence that the medication had been administered in doses inconsistent with legitimate treatment.
Dr. Cole was located at a private clinic outside the city. Investigators questioned her, and she eventually admitted that Marco had hired her to keep Elena compliant and create records suggesting psychiatric instability.
She also revealed that Helena had visited the hidden room several times.
Vincent listened to the statement, then asked one question.
“Did my sister ever speak to my wife?”
“Yes,” the investigator said. “According to the doctor, Helena told Elena that you had remarried and that Clara had forgotten her.”
Vincent closed his eyes.
Elena heard the information later. For a long time, she said nothing.
“Did you?” she finally asked.
“Did I what?”
“Remarry?”
“No.”
“Did you tell Clara I was gone?”
“I told her you had died. I believed it.”
Elena's face tightened. “I know you believed it. But I was alive.”
He nodded. “I know.”
“I heard them tell me my daughter had a new mother. I heard them say you had moved on. I stopped believing anyone would come.”
Vincent took a breath. “I am sorry.”
She looked at him, and this time her anger was not hidden.
“You don't get to ask me to be grateful that you found me.”
“I won't.”
“You don't get to decide that because I'm home, everything is fixed.”
“I know.”
She turned away. He stayed where he was.
Later, Clara climbed into Elena's lap with a picture book.
“Mommy, are you sad?”
“Sometimes.”
“Can I help?”
Elena kissed her hair. “You already do.”
Clara looked toward Vincent. “Daddy can help too.”
Elena's eyes met his.
May you like
“Maybe,” she said.
It wasn't forgiveness. But it was a door left open.
