Chapter 3 - THE NAME ON THE HOSPITAL BRACELET
The next morning, Julian canceled the merger meeting.
He also canceled his engagement.
Victoria learned about the second decision when she tried to enter the master suite and discovered her access had been revoked.
She screamed loudly enough for the kitchen staff to hear.
Julian didn't respond.
He was already in New Bedford.
I stayed with Evelyn.
Her doctor examined her and confirmed that the damp boathouse had worsened her respiratory symptoms.
She needed warmth, rest, and monitoring.
Julian ordered her original suite restored.
But Evelyn refused to return until the antique brass bed was recovered.
"Your father chose it himself," she told me.
I squeezed her hand.
"We'll find it."
That afternoon, my phone rang.
St. Jude's.
My brother's oncologist.
I answered immediately.
"Clara Hayes."
"Ms. Hayes, we need to discuss your brother's treatment schedule."
My stomach dropped.
"Is he okay?"
"He's stable, but we need additional authorization for the next phase."
I closed my eyes.
Money.
Always money.
I listened carefully, took notes, and promised to call back.
When I hung up, Evelyn was watching me.
"Your brother?"
I nodded.
"He's fighting."
She reached for my hand.
"What's his name?"
"Benjamin."
"How old?"
"Sixteen."
Evelyn smiled sadly.
"Too young to carry so much."
I swallowed.
"Yes."
She squeezed my fingers.
"You're carrying a great deal too, darling."
I looked away.
Because if she kept speaking kindly, I was going to cry.
That evening, Julian called.
He had found the dock.
But Ethan was gone.
The small apartment above the harbor office was empty.
His belongings remained.
A jacket.
A pair of work boots.
A photograph of a young man beside a fishing boat.
And a hospital bracelet.
Julian sent Evelyn a picture.
She stared at it.
Then gasped.
"Clara."
I leaned closer.
The bracelet read:
ETHAN SHAW.
Age: 22.
Facility: St. Catherine Medical Center.
Admission date: Three days earlier.
Evelyn's hands began trembling.
"He's sick."
I looked at the bracelet.
Then at her.
"Julian needs to know."
May you like
Within minutes, Julian was driving toward the hospital.
And I had no idea that the young man he was searching for would become the key to everything Carter had tried to bury.
