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Chapter 3: THE MAN OUTSIDE HER OFFICE
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2026-09-08 03:08:18Celine left the institute at nine that night.
The black car was gone. She told herself that was a good thing. Then she heard footsteps behind her. She turned. Adam stood several feet away. Her heart stumbled. “What are you doing here?” “I wanted to see you.” “You could have called.” “I did.” “I didn't answer.” “I know.” Celine crossed her arms. “Why?” Adam looked at her for a long moment. “Because I found something.” He handed her a folder. Inside were copies of his medical reports. Celine scanned them. “These dates don't match.” “I know.” “Who gave you these?” “No one.” Adam's voice became quieter. “I found them myself.” Celine looked at him. “Why are you investigating?” “Because someone sent me a message.” He showed her the text. Her expression changed. “That person contacted me too.” Adam's eyes sharpened. “What did they say?” “That I should stop asking questions.” He stepped closer. “Are you afraid?” Celine wanted to say no. Instead, she nodded. Adam's expression softened. “I won't let anyone hurt you.” Celine looked away. “You don't get to say that.” “Why?” “Because three years ago, I needed you.” He went still. “And you weren't there.” “I was unconscious.” “I know.” Her voice broke. “But I was alone.” Adam had no answer. For a moment, the only sound was traffic in the distance. Then rain began falling. Celine looked toward the street. “You should go.” “So should you.” “My car is two blocks away.” “I'll walk you.” “I can walk alone.” “I know.” He smiled faintly. “But let me anyway.” She didn't answer. They walked together. Neither spoke. When they reached her car, Adam noticed a small scratch near the lock. Someone had tried to open it. His expression changed. “Don't get in.” Celine froze. Adam examined the door. The lock had been damaged. Someone had been inside her car. Celine stepped backward. Her phone suddenly buzzed. A photograph appeared. It was a picture of Celine and Adam walking together. Taken only seconds earlier. Under it were four words:You're getting too close. Celine looked at Adam. He was already staring at the message. “This isn't about the accident anymore,” he said. “What is it about?” He looked into her eyes. “Us.” Before Celine could answer, a car sped past them. Something flew through the open window. It landed at Celine's feet. A hospital identification badge. She picked it up. The name on it made Adam go pale. m go pale.Dr. Marcus Vale. Marcus Vale had vanished three years ago. No forwarding address. No current registration. No contact with the hospital. Celine searched every database she could access. Nothing. Adam used his business connections. Still nothing. Then Daniel found an old address. An abandoned private clinic outside the city. They went together. The building looked deserted. Celine pushed open the front door. Dust covered the reception desk. A medical chart lay open on the floor. Adam picked it up. His name was written on the first page. Celine stared. “Why would your file be here?” “I don't know.” They entered the examination room. A cabinet stood against the wall. Inside were dozens of files. Most were empty. One contained Celine's name. She opened it. There were notes about her medical fellowship. Her daily schedule. Her apartment. Even photographs of her leaving the hospital three years ago. Celine's hands began shaking. “Someone has been following me for years.” Adam looked at the papers. “I think they were watching both of us.” A noise came from the hallway. They turned. Someone ran. Adam chased the figure. Celine followed. The person escaped through the back door. But something had been dropped. A key. Daniel examined it later. It belonged to a storage facility. They went there the following morning. Inside the unit was a box containing old hospital uniforms, medication labels, photographs, and a sealed envelope. The envelope was addressed to Celine. She opened it.Mrs. Hayes, if you are reading this, then I am no longer safe. Her heart raced.Your husband's diagnosis was not the truth. Celine looked at Adam. He read the next line.The accident was arranged, but the person who ordered it was not trying to kill Adam. Adam frowned. “Then what were they trying to do?” Celine turned the page. The final sentence had been underlined.They needed Adam alive, but unable to remember. The room went silent. Adam looked at Celine. “Why would anyone need me to forget?” Before she could answer, a loud alarm sounded from the corridor. Someone had broken into the storage facility. The lights went out. In the darkness, Celine felt Adam's hand close around hers. Then a voice came from the other side of the door. “Celine Carter.” She stopped breathing. “Come outside if you want to know why your husband really woke up.
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THE WRONG DIAGNOSIS Chapter 13: THE NAME IN THE FILE
They didn’t know whether Daniel was alive. By the time the ambulance arrived, he was unconscious. Celine stood outside the hospital emergency room, her hands trembling. Adam stood beside her. “You should sit.” “I can’t.” “You’ve been standing for an hour.” “I don’t care.” He looked at her. “You do care.” She turned. “About what?” “Your brother.” “Of course I care.” Adam nodded. “Then sit.” She finally lowered herself into a chair. For several minutes, neither spoke. Then a doctor approached. “Are you family?” “Yes,” Celine answered. “Daniel survived the gunshot.” She exhaled. “But he’s unconscious.” “Will he wake up?” “We don’t know.” Celine closed her eyes. Adam placed a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t pull away. Hours later, Daniel finally opened his eyes. Celine rushed into the room. “Daniel.” His eyes moved toward her. “Celine.” She took his hand. “Who shot you?” He looked at Adam. “Not here.” Adam locked the door. Daniel struggled to sit up
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