Chapter 5 - THE SECOND CHILD
Marcus had spent decades building walls around his life.
Now those walls were collapsing.
And every secret led back to two newborn boys who had done nothing wrong.
He arrived at the hospital's family consultation room shortly after receiving the news.
Dr. Pierce met him.
"Mr. Falcone, the second infant has been transferred to a licensed hospital for examination."
Marcus closed his eyes.
"Is he alive?"
"Yes."
The word nearly brought him to his knees.
"He's alive?"
"Yes, sir."
Marcus sat down heavily.
For the first time in years, he cried.
Not quietly.
Not discreetly.
He covered his face and wept for the child he'd been told was dead.
Dr. Pierce waited.
Then said gently:
"Both boys are being cared for. We'll confirm their identities through the appropriate medical and legal process."
Marcus nodded.
He didn't care about pride.
He didn't care who saw him cry.
His sons were alive.
That was enough.
But Elena was still missing.
And he couldn't forget her face on the hospital footage.
The way she mouthed:
Help me.
Meanwhile, investigators continued searching Cross Medical Holdings.
The facility's employees provided conflicting statements.
Several claimed Elena had never been there.
Others said a woman matching her description had arrived after childbirth.
A nurse named Patricia Wells finally agreed to speak.
She had worked at the facility for four years.
When Detective Helen Morris questioned her, Patricia began crying.
"I didn't know what they planned to do."
"What did you see?"
"Two babies were brought in. One was placed in the nursery."
"And the other?"
Patricia swallowed.
"I don't know."
Detective Morris showed her photographs of Isabella and Dominic.
Patricia pointed toward Isabella.
"She ordered the staff not to record the second infant."
Marcus listened from an adjoining room through an authorized interview arrangement.
His jaw tightened.
Patricia continued.
"She said the children were involved in a confidential family matter."
Detective Morris leaned forward.
"What happened to Elena?"
Patricia's expression changed.
"I saw her."
Marcus's heart pounded.
"When?"
"Early yesterday morning."
"Where?"
"On the second floor."
"Was she conscious?"
Patricia nodded.
"Yes."
"What did she say?"
The nurse began crying harder.
"She kept asking for her babies."
Marcus closed his eyes.
Elena.
Alone.
Frightened.
Still recovering from childbirth.
Patricia wiped her face.
"She asked us to call Marcus Falcone."
Detective Morris waited.
"What happened?"
"Isabella told us not to."
Marcus gripped the chair.
Patricia continued.
"Then Elena tried to leave."
"What happened?"
"Dominic stopped her."
The room went silent.
Patricia looked down.
"And after that, she disappeared."
Detective Morris leaned closer.
"Do you know where they took her?"
Patricia shook her head.
But then she remembered something.
"There was a vehicle."
"What vehicle?"
"A private ambulance."
"Where did it go?"
Patricia hesitated.
"I heard Isabella mention a property near Lake Geneva."
Marcus's heart stopped.
His family owned an old lakeside estate there.
A property he hadn't visited in years.
Then Patricia whispered something worse.
"Before the ambulance left, Isabella said they needed Elena alive until the documents were signed."
Detective Morris frowned.
"What documents?"
May you like
Patricia looked terrified.
"The papers that would make Isabella the legal mother of Marcus Falcone's children."
