Chapter 3 - THE TWIN WHO WAS DECLARED DEAD
Marcus Falcone had spent his entire life believing money could purchase answers.
But when he arrived at St. Agnes Private Hospital, no amount of money could explain why one of his newborn sons had been found beside a trash bin and the other had supposedly died.
He entered the neonatal unit with Dr. Pierce.
The baby lay inside a warming bassinet.
His tiny fingers curled against a blanket.
Marcus approached slowly.
"My boy."
The words sounded unfamiliar.
He had built an empire.
Commanded hundreds of men.
Owned properties worth millions.
Yet he'd never felt as helpless as he did standing beside a newborn who needed him.
Dr. Pierce waited quietly.
"He's responding well to treatment. We'll continue monitoring him."
Marcus nodded.
Then turned.
"Tell me about the second baby."
The doctor opened the available records.
"Elena Moretti delivered twin boys approximately thirty hours ago."
Marcus felt the floor shift.
"Where was she?"
"She's no longer registered as a current patient."
"What does that mean?"
"She was transferred."
"Where?"
"That's what we're trying to determine."
Marcus stared.
"Someone transferred the mother of my children without telling me?"
Dr. Pierce remained calm.
"We've notified hospital administration and the authorities. The transfer authorization needs verification."
Marcus took a slow breath.
For once, he resisted the urge to shout.
He needed facts.
Not fear.
Dr. Pierce continued.
"The first child was recorded as deceased shortly after birth."
Marcus looked toward the bassinet.
"And the second?"
"The child Lucia found."
Marcus closed his eyes.
He couldn't stop imagining both babies.
Tiny.
Helpless.
Separated from their mother.
Then a hospital administrator entered.
Her expression was tense.
"Mr. Falcone, we've located archived footage from the maternity floor."
Marcus turned.
"What does it show?"
She hesitated.
"Elena Moretti was conscious after delivery."
Relief hit him.
"Then she's alive?"
"She was alive when the footage was recorded."
"Show me."
They moved into a private conference room.
The screen displayed a hospital hallway.
Elena appeared in a wheelchair.
Her dark hair hung loosely around her face.
She looked exhausted.
But she was alive.
A nurse pushed her toward an elevator.
Behind them walked Isabella Cross.
Marcus's chest tightened.
Isabella had claimed she hadn't seen Elena in months.
Yet there she was.
Walking beside her after childbirth.
Then another man appeared.
Dominic Russo.
He entered the elevator with them.
Marcus leaned closer.
The elevator doors began closing.
For one brief second, Elena looked toward the camera.
Her lips moved.
Marcus couldn't hear her.
But he could read the desperation in her face.
She mouthed two words.
Help me.
Marcus covered his mouth.
Then the administrator paused the recording.
"There's another camera."
A second angle appeared.
It showed Isabella leaving the elevator with a small medical transport container.
Dominic walked beside her.
The container was covered.
Marcus stared.
"What is that?"
The administrator hesitated.
"We believe it may have been designed for transporting an infant."
Marcus's heart pounded.
Then the footage zoomed closer.
A tiny blue hospital blanket was visible beneath the cover.
Marcus turned toward Dr. Pierce.
"Find that child."
The doctor nodded.
But before anyone moved, the administrator received a call.
Her expression changed.
She listened.
Then looked at Marcus.
"Sir, we found an unsigned transfer order."
"Where was Elena taken?"
May you like
The woman swallowed.
"To a private medical facility owned by Isabella Cross."
