Chapter 7 - THE DOCTOR WHO KNEW EVERYTHING
Bethany had worked beside Dr. Evelyn Price for six years.
She had trusted her with frightened parents, critically ill children, and medical decisions that could change lives.
Now Evelyn appeared in a photograph beside the man holding her mother hostage.
Bethany felt betrayed.
"She knew?"
Dante studied the image.
"Possibly."
"She taught me everything."
"Then maybe she has been trying to protect you."
Bethany shook her head.
"Or watching me."
That possibility was worse.
Dante called Marco.
"Find Price."
"Already working on it."
Bethany sank into a chair.
Her exhaustion had become something heavier.
Every person she trusted seemed connected to a story she didn't understand.
Her mother.
Her mentor.
Her father.
Even Dante.
She looked at him.
"Why are you helping me?"
He paused.
"Because someone has been using my family name to destroy lives."
"That's not an answer."
Dante sat across from her.
"Because I once had a younger sister."
Bethany went still.
"What happened?"
"She died when she was a baby."
His voice remained controlled, but grief softened his eyes.
"My father told me she was sick."
Bethany swallowed.
"Was she?"
Dante looked away.
"I don't know anymore."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Bethany reached across the table.
"I'm sorry."
Dante looked at her hand.
Then gently covered it with his own.
"Let's find your mother."
An hour later, Marco returned.
"We found Evelyn Price."
"Where?"
"At the hospital."
Bethany stood immediately.
"I'll talk to her."
Dante shook his head.
"Not alone."
Bethany looked directly at him.
"She knows me. If she's hiding something, I might be the only person she'll speak to."
He considered that.
Then nodded.
"But I'm coming."
They arrived at Dayton Children's Hospital shortly before noon.
The corridors smelled of disinfectant and coffee.
Bethany knew every turn.
Every elevator.
Every supply closet.
She had spent countless nights walking these halls while trying to keep children alive.
Now she felt like a stranger.
They found Evelyn in a private office.
The older doctor looked up.
When she saw Dante, her face drained of color.
"Bethany."
Bethany closed the door.
"Tell me who I am."
Evelyn stared at her.
Then slowly sat down.
"Oh, sweetheart."
"Don't."
Bethany's voice shook.
"Don't call me that unless you're willing to tell me the truth."
Evelyn began crying.
"I wanted to tell you so many times."
"Then tell me now."
Evelyn looked at Dante.
"You look just like your mother."
Dante went still.
"My mother?"
Evelyn nodded.
"She tried to stop it."
"Stop what?"
Evelyn reached into her desk and removed an old photograph.
Two newborn girls lay side by side in a hospital nursery.
One wore a pink identification bracelet.
The other wore yellow.
Evelyn pointed to the baby in yellow.
"That's Elizabeth Carter."
Then she pointed to the baby in pink.
"And that's Sofia Moretti."
Dante's expression changed.
"My sister?"
Evelyn nodded.
Bethany stared at the photograph.
"Which baby am I?"
Evelyn's hands trembled.
May you like
Then she whispered the secret that turned the entire investigation upside down.
"Bethany, you're Sofia Moretti."
