Chapter 8: The Doctor Who Remembered Elena
Dr. Adrian Cole was no longer working at the hospital where Elena had died.
Richard located his current practice and arranged a meeting for the following morning.
Marcus barely slept.
Every time he closed his eyes, he heard Elena's voice from the recorder.
If I become seriously ill, please don't let Vanessa make decisions about Maya without you.
At eight thirty the next morning, Marcus left Maya with Daniel and drove to the medical center.
Richard was already waiting outside the doctor's office.
“Did you bring the original notebook?”” he asked.
Marcus nodded.
“It's in the car.””
“Good. Let the doctor explain what he remembers before showing him anything.””
The receptionist escorted them into a private consultation room.
Dr. Cole entered a few minutes later.
He was in his late fifties, with silver hair and a tired expression.
“Mr. Hayes?””
Marcus stood.
“Yes. Thank you for seeing us.””
The doctor shook his hand.
“I remember your wife.””
Marcus swallowed.
“Then you remember what happened three years ago.””
Dr. Cole looked at Richard.
“Your attorney explained that you had questions about the final hospitalization.””
Marcus placed the medical record on the desk.
“I want to know why Vanessa was contacted two hours before I was.””
The doctor's expression changed.
He adjusted his glasses.
“Mrs. Vanessa was listed as an alternate contact.””
“By whom?””
Dr. Cole hesitated.
“I would need to review the original file.””
“We have it.””
Marcus showed him the record.
The doctor read the page carefully.
Then he leaned back.
“I'm afraid I can't discuss every medical detail without the proper authorization. But I can explain the communication process.””
Richard nodded.
“Please do.””
Dr. Cole folded his hands.
“Your wife arrived at the hospital experiencing severe complications. She was conscious when she was admitted.””
Marcus felt his throat tighten.
“She was conscious?””
“Yes.””
“Did she ask for me?””
The doctor looked down.
“She asked several times whether you had been contacted.””
Marcus stared.
“And what did you tell her?””
“That we were trying to reach you.””
“Were you?””
Dr. Cole paused.
“According to the records, the hospital had an incorrect number listed for your primary contact.””
Marcus felt a chill.
“An incorrect number?””
“Yes. The number had been changed in the electronic system earlier that day.””
Richard immediately leaned forward.
“Who changed it?””
“I can't determine that from this copy. The audit log should show the user account.””
Marcus looked at the doctor.
“Was Vanessa responsible?””
“I didn't say that.””
“But she was contacted.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
The doctor took a breath.
“She arrived at the hospital shortly after the call.””
Marcus's jaw tightened.
“Why would she come?””
“She said she was a close family friend.””
Marcus looked at Richard.
Then back at the doctor.
“What did Elena tell her?””
Dr. Cole seemed uncomfortable.
“I wasn't present for their entire conversation.””
“But you saw them together?””
“Yes.””
“What happened?””
The doctor hesitated for several seconds.
Then he spoke.
“Your wife became distressed when Vanessa entered the room.””
Marcus closed his eyes briefly.
“Did she ask her to leave?””
“Yes.””
Richard took notes.
Dr. Cole continued.
“Afterward, Elena asked me to document that she did not want Vanessa involved in decisions about her treatment or her daughter's care.””
Marcus leaned forward.
“Did you?””
The doctor nodded.
“I entered the note.””
“Then why was Vanessa still contacted?””
Dr. Cole looked genuinely troubled.
“I don't know. That's one of the things I would need to investigate.””
Marcus took out Elena's notebook.
He opened the page containing the doctor's name.
Dr. Cole read the sentence.
He promised he would tell the truth if anything happened to me.
The doctor's face changed.
“Where did you get this?””
“In a box that belonged to my wife.””
Dr. Cole looked down.
For a moment, he seemed to be fighting with himself.
Then he said quietly:
“Your wife came to see me privately two days before her hospitalization.””
Marcus stared.
“Why?””
“She was worried that someone had accessed her financial documents. She asked me whether I could help her contact a family lawyer.””
“Why you?””
“She knew my wife worked with a legal-aid organization. She wanted a recommendation.””
Richard made another note.
“Did she mention Vanessa?””
Dr. Cole nodded.
“She said Vanessa had been asking questions about her daughter's inheritance.””
Marcus looked down at the notebook.
“What else?””
The doctor hesitated.
“She also told me that she had discovered an attempt to change the beneficiary information on one of her financial accounts.””
Marcus's eyes widened.
“Was that account connected to Maya's trust?””
“I can't say without reviewing the documents.””
Richard leaned forward.
“Doctor, we need the original communication and audit records. Will you cooperate with a formal request?””
“Yes.””
Marcus stood.
“Thank you.””
Before they left, Dr. Cole called him back.
“Mr. Hayes?””
Marcus turned.
“Your wife said something to me that I never forgot.””
“What?””
“She said, 'If I don't make it through this, please don't let my daughter grow up believing she was unwanted.''”
Marcus's eyes filled.
He looked away.
The doctor lowered his voice.
“She loved Maya very much.””
Marcus nodded.
“I know.””
Outside, Richard walked beside him.
“We need to move carefully. The altered contact information is important, but we need the electronic audit trail before making any accusations.””
Marcus stopped beside his car.
“Can you request it today?””
“I'll send the formal request immediately.””
His phone vibrated.
It was Daniel.
Marcus answered.
“What's wrong?””
“Sir, I'm sorry to disturb you. Maya is asking for you.””
“Is she okay?””
“She is. But someone came to the house.””
Marcus frowned.
“Who?””
“Mrs. Vanessa.””
Marcus looked at Richard.
“Is Caleb with her?””
“Yes, sir. But she says she wants to speak to Maya.””
Marcus's expression hardened.
“Don't let her inside.””
“Understood.””
“Keep Maya away from the front door. I'll be home shortly.””
He ended the call.
Richard looked at him.
“Don't confront her alone.””
Marcus nodded.
But when he reached home twenty minutes later, Vanessa was already inside.
She stood in the living room holding a large gift bag.
Maya was sitting on the sofa, looking frightened.
“Daddy!””
She jumped up and ran toward him.
Marcus caught her.
“What's wrong?””
Vanessa held up the gift bag.
“I brought her something.””
Marcus looked at the bag.
“What is it?””
“A birthday present. I realized things got out of hand yesterday.””
Maya hid behind her father.
Vanessa smiled.
“Sweetheart, come here. I bought you a beautiful doll.””
Maya shook her head.
“I don't want it.””
Vanessa's smile faded.
Marcus looked at her.
“You need to leave.””
“Marcus, I came to make peace.””
“You should have thought about that before.””
Vanessa placed the bag on the sofa.
“Can we talk privately?””
“No.””
She glanced at Maya.
“Then perhaps you should ask your daughter what she told me yesterday.””
Marcus looked down.
Maya was gripping his jacket.
“What do you mean?””
Vanessa smiled faintly.
“She told me something very interesting about the night Elena died.””
Marcus felt his stomach drop.
He looked at his daughter.
“Maya, what did you tell her?””
Maya began trembling.
“I didn't mean to.””
Marcus knelt.
“It's okay. What happened?””
Maya looked at Vanessa.
Then she whispered:
“Daddy, I remember seeing her at the hospital.””
Marcus froze.
Maya continued.
“I was little, but I remember. Vanessa told me Mommy was sleeping. She said I wasn't allowed to wake her.””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
“You were at the hospital?””
Vanessa's face changed.
Maya nodded.
“And she told me something else.””
“What, sweetheart?””
Maya's voice became almost inaudible.
“She said Mommy was going away, and if I loved Daddy, I shouldn't tell him she had been there.””
May you like
Marcus slowly stood.
Vanessa's gift bag slipped from her hand.
