Chapter 10 - THE DOCTOR'S CONFESSION
Dr. Voss survived.
When he regained consciousness, investigators questioned him with his attorney present.
His account was complicated.
And damning.
He admitted that Richard had initially approached him about Alexander's worsening health.
The family claimed Alexander suffered from a progressive neurological condition.
Voss was hired to supervise private treatments.
But over time, he began noticing inconsistencies.
Alexander's symptoms fluctuated.
Some laboratory findings did not match the original diagnosis.
And his condition worsened after certain treatments.
Voss said he raised concerns.
Richard dismissed them.
Julian threatened to expose unrelated professional misconduct if Voss withdrew.
Eventually, Voss suspected Alexander was being deliberately harmed.
But instead of reporting it immediately, he continued accepting payments.
He altered records.
He concealed information.
And he allowed the treatments to continue.
Investigators asked why.
Voss began crying.
“I was afraid.”
His attorney sat silently beside him.
Voss admitted that his fear had not justified what he did.
He provided records and identified the people who had directed the treatment schedule.
The evidence helped investigators reconstruct the pattern of exposure.
Alexander listened to the summary in silence.
When Miriam finished, he looked toward the window.
“He knew.”
Sophie sat beside him.
“Yes.”
“He watched me get worse.”
She nodded.
Alexander's hands began trembling.
Not from the illness this time.
From anger.
“I asked him if I was dying.”
Sophie swallowed.
“He told me to trust the process.”
Alexander covered his face.
Sophie waited.
After a long silence, he whispered:
“I thought I was losing myself.”
She reached for his hand.
He looked at her.
“What if you hadn't come downstairs that night?”
Sophie felt tears gather.
“I did.”
He shook his head.
“But what if—”
She squeezed his hand.
“Alexander. I did.”
He stared at her.
Then nodded.
For the first time, he allowed himself to cry.
Not quietly.
Not carefully.
He cried for the months he'd lost.
For the terror.
For the betrayal.
For the life he had almost surrendered.
Sophie held his hand until the tears stopped.
And somewhere in that hospital room, something changed between them.
May you like
Not because she had saved him.
But because he finally allowed someone to see him when he wasn't strong.
