Chapter 19 - The Children's HospitalThe hospital had been abandoned for decades.

Broken windows.

Empty rooms.

Rusting beds.

A faded sign hung above the entrance.

COLE CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER.

Marcus stopped.

"This was my father's first foundation project."

We entered.

The building was silent.

Too silent.

Then we heard music.

A children's song.

Coming from the basement.

We followed it.

At the end of the corridor was a locked door.

Marcus opened it.

Inside were dozens of photographs.

Children.

Families.

Doctors.

Foundation workers.

And one photograph of Lily.

Taken yesterday.

I felt sick.

Evelyn stepped from the shadows.

She was holding Lily's hand.

My daughter looked unharmed.

"Mommy!"

I ran toward her.

Evelyn released her.

I hugged Lily tightly.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded.

"She gave me cookies."

I looked at Evelyn.

"You kidnapped my daughter."

"I protected her."

"From what?"

Evelyn looked toward Marcus.

"From the people who are coming."

Marcus stepped forward.

"Who?"

She pointed toward the photographs.

"Look at the children."

Marcus did.

Every child had a red mark drawn across their photograph.

"What's that?"

"Children whose families were protected by the original trust."

I frowned.

"Protected from what?"

Evelyn answered:

"From people who wanted to use them."

She handed Marcus a folder.

Inside were documents.

Names.

Payments.

Medical records.

Adoption papers.

Marcus turned pale.

"This isn't money laundering."

"No."

"It's a protection network."

Evelyn nodded.

"Your grandfather created it."

"Then why did everyone call it criminal?"

"Because someone corrupted it."

"Who?"

Evelyn looked at him.

"Eleanor."

Marcus froze.

Again.

Always Eleanor.

Then a sound came from the hallway.

Footsteps.

Many.

Evelyn's expression changed.

"They found us."

Marcus grabbed my hand.

"Who?"

Evelyn whispered:

"The real Circle."

The basement doors slammed shut.

A voice came through the speakers.

"Marcus Cole."

He looked up.

"Your family has hidden long enough."

The lights went out.

And Lily whispered:

"Mommy."

I held her.

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"Yes?"

"They're coming."