Chapter 11 - Controlled Truth

Anna closed the door as she entered the office. She stood in front of the doctor who sat down behind the table in front of her.

She stood in that position for about two minutes as she looked at the doctor who was going through some files.

Her chest still felt weird.

It wasn't as weird as it had always been, but yeah…it was definitely still weird.

“Please, sit, Miss Anna,” he said as he looked up at her and smiled.

Anna moved to his desk and sat down on the chair in front of his desk.

Her eyes stayed on his face.

Careful.

Observant.

She was not the same girl who walked into this hospital weeks ago.

“So….words came to me that you were not feeling well,” the doctor said.

Anna let out a small breath.

“Wh..what do you think?.”

The doctor gave a short nod.

“How are you feeling Anna?.”

Anna hesitated for a second.

Then she spoke.

“I know something is wrong with me,” she said. “I don't feel pain at all sir…but I know something is definitely wrong.”

The doctor leaned back slightly.

“What do you mean?”

Anna squeezed her laps with her fingers.

“I hear noises in my chest,” she said slowly. “Sometimes it makes a sound. Like a clock.”

The doctor’s eyes didn't leave Anna. He kept on looking at her.

“Oh, really,” he said.

Anna leaned forward a little.

“I went to another hospital,” she added.

That was the moment everything shifted.

Just slightly.

But enough.

The doctor’s smile faded.

“What did they tell you?”

Anna held his gaze.

“They said what is in my chest is not a real heart.”

Silence filled the room.

Heavy.

The doctor did not speak immediately.

Instead, he looked at her carefully.

Studying her.

Measuring how much she knew.

Then he sighed softly.

“You should not believe everything you hear,” he said.

Anna’s brows pulled together.

“So they are lying?”

The doctor gave a small shrug.

“Some hospitals like to exaggerate. It makes them look more important.”

Anna shook her head.

“They showed me the scan.”

“That does not mean they are right.”

Anna felt something rise inside her.

Frustration.

Anger.

“They said it is artificial.”

The doctor’s voice remained calm.

“And I am telling you it is not.”

Anna stared at him.

“You expect me to just believe that?”

The doctor leaned forward slightly.

“You had a complicated surgery,” he said. “There may be minor adjustments.

Devices to support your heart. That is normal.”

Anna’s chest tightened again.

“But they said…”

“They are wrong,” he cut in.

His tone was still calm.

But firmer now.

Controlled.

Anna fell silent.

Something about his words felt wrong.

Too smooth.

Too prepared.

Like he had said them before.

Her eyes moved slightly around the room.

Then back to him.

“Then why does it sound like that?” she asked quietly.

The doctor paused.

“Stress,” he said.

Anna laughed.

“Stress?”

“Yes.”

“That does not make sense.” Anna said as she shook her head

The doctor’s expression hardened just a little.

“All these shouldn't be bothering you, Anna,” he said. “Please stop overthinking.”

Anna leaned back in her chair.

She looked at him.

“Sir, I know what I'm saying. I know how I feel about my own body.”

Silence.

The doctor’s fingers tapped lightly on the desk.

Then he stopped.

“You should rest,” he said. “We will run more tests.”

Anna nodded slowly.

But inside, she had already made up her mind.

She did not believe him.

Not anymore.

Outside, Adrian stood by the window.

His phone was pressed to his ear.

“I want full records,” he said.

“Everything connected to that surgery.”

Michael’s voice came through.

“It is not easy. The files are locked.”

Adrian’s eyes darkened.

“Then unlock them.”

“Sir, this hospital…”

“I do not care,” Adrian cut in.

His voice was low.

Cold.

“Someone removed the donor file.”

Silence on the other end.

Then Michael spoke again.

“You think it is connected to her?”

Adrian’s gaze dropped slightly.

He could still feel it.

That reaction.

That pull.

“Yes,” he said.

“I do.”

Anna stepped out of the office.

Her mind was not calm.

If anything, she felt worse.

The answers she got did not feel like answers.

They felt like lies.

Her hand moved to her chest again.

Still quiet.

But not normal.

She looked down the hallway.

And froze.

Because he was still there.

Adrian.

Standing near the window.

Like he had been waiting.

Adrian looked up.

And saw her again.

That same reaction hit him.

Sharp.

Immediate.

His jaw tightened slightly.

This time, he did not hesitate.

He walked toward her.

Anna did not move.

Her body felt tense.

That same strange pull returned.

Stronger than before.

Her breathing slowed.

Her eyes stayed on him.

“Why are you still here?” she asked.

Adrian stopped in front of her.

“Why are you?”

Anna frowned.

“I have every reason to be here.”

Adrian’s lips pressed together slightly.

“So do I.”

Silence.

The tension between them grew.

Anna crossed her arms slightly.

“You still have not answered my question,” she said.

Adrian looked at her.

“What question?”

“Who are you?”

Adrian held her gaze.

“Does it matter?”

Anna let out a small breath.

“Yes. It does.”

Adrian was quiet for a second.

Then he spoke.

“Adrian.”

Anna blinked slightly.

Just a name.

No explanation.

Still, something about it felt important.

“Anna,” she replied.

Adrian nodded once.

“I know.”

Anna’s brows pulled together.

“How?”

Adrian did not answer.

Instead, his eyes dropped briefly to her chest.

Then back to her face.

“What did the doctor say?”

Anna hesitated.

Then she spoke.

“He said everything is fine.”

Adrian’s expression did not change.

But something in his eyes did.

“Do you believe him?”

Anna shook her head slowly.

“No.”

Adrian nodded.

“Good.”

Anna blinked.

“You do not believe him either?”

Adrian’s voice was calm.

“No.”

“Why?”

Adrian looked at her for a long second.

Then he said quietly,

“Because something is wrong.”

Anna felt her chest tighten again.

Not pain.

Recognition.

Like she was not alone in this anymore.

Footsteps echoed behind them again.

The same nurse approached.

“Miss Anna, we need you for another test.”

Anna did not move immediately.

Her eyes stayed on Adrian.

Something told her this was not over.

Not even close.

She took a small step back.

Then another.

But the feeling remained.

That connection.

That pull.

Adrian watched her go again.

But this time, his mind was clear.

This was not a coincidence.

This was not random.

This was connected.

And he was going to find out how.

Upstairs, the man stood in his office again.

Watching through the glass.

His eyes followed Anna as she was led away.

Then shifted to Adrian.

A slow smile spread across his face.

“Interesting,” he murmured.

Very interesting.

Down the hallway, Anna was led into another room.

The door closed behind her.

Her chest tightened slightly again.

And this time…

She was sure.

Whatever was inside her…

Was reacting to him.