Then he looked at Eleanor.
"Where is Rebecca?"
"St. Mary's," Eleanor answered.
Daniel nodded.
"Then that's where we're going."
CHAPTER 11: THE ROOM WHERE TIME STOOD STILL
St. Mary's Medical Center was quiet when they arrived.
The corridors were illuminated by soft fluorescent lights. A nurse pushed a medicine trolley past the reception desk while an elderly man slept in a wheelchair.
Eleanor walked quickly toward the neurology department.
She knew every corner of the hospital.
She had worked there for nearly six years before leaving to care for her sister.
Room 214.
Rebecca's room.
The door was slightly open.
Eleanor pushed it gently.
Her sister was sitting beside the window.
She was reading an old book.
For a moment, Eleanor simply watched her.
Rebecca's hair had grown longer. Her face was thinner, and a small scar remained near her temple.
But she looked peaceful.
"Becca?"
Rebecca turned.
Her eyes widened.
Then she smiled.
"You're late."
Eleanor froze.
It was such an ordinary sentence.
Such a familiar expression.
But Rebecca had not spoken to her like that in years.
"What?"
Rebecca closed the book.
"I said you're late."
Eleanor walked closer.
"Rebecca..."
Her sister looked at Michael standing behind her.
Then she looked at Daniel.
Finally, she returned her gaze to Eleanor.
"Did you bring him?"
Eleanor's voice trembled.
"Bring who?"
Rebecca looked directly at Michael.
"Him."
Michael stepped into the room.
"Hello, Rebecca."
Rebecca smiled sadly.
"Hello, Michael."
Eleanor covered her mouth.
Her sister remembered.
She remembered everything.
"Why?" Eleanor whispered.
Rebecca looked down.
"Because I was afraid."
"Of what?"
"Of losing you."
Rebecca reached for her hand.
"I remembered the accident. I remembered the people who followed us. I remembered what happened to Michael."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"But I also remembered the woman who called you after he disappeared."
Eleanor's heart raced.
"Who was she?"
Rebecca looked at Daniel.
"Victoria Shaw."
Daniel stepped forward.
"You're certain?"
Rebecca nodded.
"She visited me several times after the accident. She pretended to be concerned about my recovery. She brought flowers and told the doctors I was confused."
"Why didn't you report her?"
"Because she threatened Eleanor."
Rebecca squeezed her sister's hand.
"She told me that if I spoke, Eleanor would become the next person to disappear."
Eleanor began crying.
"Becca, you should have told me."
"I wanted to."
"Why didn't you?"
"Because you were the only family I had left."
Rebecca looked at her.
"I couldn't risk losing you too."
Eleanor sat beside her.
For several moments, they held each other without speaking.
Then Rebecca looked at Daniel.
"I know where the original files are."
Daniel leaned closer.
"Where?"
"In the old pediatric archive beneath the hospital."
Michael nodded.
"That's where we hid the first copies."
Daniel frowned.
"Why would evidence be hidden inside the hospital controlled by Victoria?"
Rebecca gave a faint smile.
"Because she never thought anyone would search the place she believed she controlled."
She reached beneath her pillow and removed a small envelope.
Inside was a photograph of a little girl.
Lily.
On the back was an address.
And a handwritten sentence.
SHE IS STILL ALIVE.
CHAPTER 12: THE GIRL WHO WAITED
The address led them to a residential care center on the outskirts of the city.
It was a modest building surrounded by trees.
There were no signs of wealth or luxury.
Just a quiet garden, a playground, and several bicycles leaning against the fence.
A social worker named Anna greeted them at the entrance.
She was in her late thirties, with tired eyes and a calm voice.
When she saw Michael, she covered her mouth.
"You're alive."
Michael smiled.
"Because of you."
Anna looked at Eleanor.
"You're Eleanor?"
She nodded.
Anna reached out and held her hand.
"I've wanted to meet you for a long time."
"Why?"
"Because Michael never stopped talking about you."
Eleanor looked at her husband.
He lowered his eyes.
Anna led them inside.
The building smelled of fresh bread and disinfectant.
Several children were drawing at a table.
One boy was playing with a wooden airplane.
A little girl was arranging colored pencils.
And near the window sat a young woman.
She appeared to be nineteen or twenty.
Her dark curly hair fell over her shoulders.
A small scar was visible above her left eyebrow.
Eleanor recognized her immediately.
"Lily?"
The young woman looked up.
Anna approached her.
"Lily, there are people here who have been looking for you."
The girl stood slowly.
Her eyes moved toward Michael.
Then toward Eleanor.
"Who are they?"
Michael took a step forward.
"I'm Michael."
Lily studied him.
"I know."
He looked surprised.
"You remember me?"
She nodded.
"I was little, but I remember your face."
Michael's eyes filled with tears.
"You were seven years old."
"I remember the hospital. I remember being scared. I remember you telling me that someone would come for me."
Michael lowered his head.
"I'm sorry it took so long."
Lily shook her head.
"You came."
Those two words seemed to break something inside him.
He knelt in front of her.
For twelve years, he had carried the guilt of leaving a child behind.
Now he was finally standing in front of her again.
Eleanor watched quietly.