CHAPTER 2 – THE FACE THE DOCTOR COULD NEVER FORGET
The delivery room became unbearably quiet.
Adrian frowned.
"What's going on?"
The doctor didn't answer.
He kept staring at the baby.
Then, very carefully, he pulled down his surgical mask.
"You don't remember me, do you?"
Adrian looked confused.
"Should I?"
"My name is Dr. Daniel Brooks."
"I was a resident twelve years ago."
Adrian shrugged.
"I've met hundreds of doctors."
Dr. Brooks looked down at the newborn.
His voice softened.
"I also delivered another baby."
He paused.
"A baby with the exact same birthmark."
My heart skipped.
"What birthmark?"
The doctor gently turned my son.
Just beneath his left shoulder...
Was a tiny crescent-shaped mark.
Perfectly defined.
Dr. Brooks whispered,
"I've only seen this once before."
Adrian laughed.
"A birthmark?"
"That's why you're crying?"
The doctor slowly looked up.
"No."
"I'm crying because..."
"The only other child with that mark..."
"...was your older brother."
Adrian's smile vanished.
"My brother died."
"He was adopted."
The doctor shook his head.
"No."
"He disappeared."
"And your parents paid a great deal of money to make sure no one ever asked questions."
Silence.
I stared at Adrian.
"What is he talking about?"
Adrian's voice rose.
"Stop."
"You're insane."
The doctor walked toward a locked cabinet.
He entered a code.
Removed an old archive box.
"I kept one copy."
Adrian's breathing became uneven.
"You weren't supposed to."
Inside the box...
A faded photograph.
A newborn.
The same birthmark.
The same eyes.
The same tiny ears.
The doctor placed the picture beside my son.
The resemblance was undeniable.
He looked at Adrian.
"I think it's time your wife learned the truth."
At that exact moment...
The delivery-room door opened again.
An elderly woman stepped inside.
She froze the instant she saw the baby.
Then she whispered only one word.
"Samuel..."
Adrian turned white.
"Mother..."
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End of Chapter 2...
