Chapter 2 - THE NAME FROM THE HOSPITAL
Claire stared at Adrian.
“Why are you asking about Eleanor Vale?”
He studied her expression.
“You know the name.”
“I've heard it.”
“Where?”
Claire hesitated.
“My mother mentioned her recently.”
Adrian's face changed.
“Your mother is alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where is she?”
Claire looked away.
“At St. Catherine Medical Center.”
Adrian's hands tightened.
“Is she ill?”
Claire nodded.
“She had a stroke last year.”
The billionaire lowered himself into his chair.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he asked, “What is her name?”
“Margaret Bennett.”
Adrian's eyes widened.
“Margaret?”
Claire frowned.
“You know her?”
He stared at the table.
Then whispered, “Maggie.”
Claire felt a chill.
Nobody called her mother Maggie anymore.
Not since her grandmother died.
“How do you know that name?”
Adrian looked up.
“Your mother and mine were friends.”
Claire shook her head.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“Why?”
“Because my mother grew up in a small town in Ohio.”
Adrian nodded slowly.
“So did mine.”
He explained that Eleanor Vale had been born Eleanor Whitcomb.
She was Deaf.
Her family had little money.
When Adrian was a child, Eleanor worked as a seamstress and raised him alone.
Margaret Bennett had lived two streets away.
The women communicated in sign language.
They shared groceries.
Helped each other with childcare.
And survived years when neither had enough money.
Claire listened in disbelief.
“My mother never told me any of this.”
Adrian smiled sadly.
“Neither did mine. Not until much later.”
He looked toward the empty dining room.
“My mother died twenty-six years ago.”
Claire's expression softened.
“I'm sorry.”
Adrian nodded.
“She was the only person who ever knew me before the money.”
He looked at Claire.
“And the only person who could tell when I was lying.”
Claire smiled faintly.
“My mother is like that too.”
Adrian laughed softly.
Then grew serious.
“Claire, would you allow me to visit Margaret?”
She hesitated.
“She's not always able to communicate clearly.”
“I understand.”
He raised his hands.
I would like to see my old friend.
Claire studied him.
For the first time, she wasn't looking at a billionaire.
She was looking at a sixty-two-year-old man who missed his mother.
“Let me ask her,” Claire said.
Adrian nodded.
“Of course.”
That night, Claire visited St. Catherine.
Her mother lay in a quiet room overlooking the parking lot.
Margaret's left side remained weak after the stroke.
Her speech was limited.
But her eyes brightened when Claire entered.
Claire sat beside her.
“Mom, I met someone tonight.”
Margaret smiled.
Claire signed.
His name is Adrian Vale.
Her mother's expression changed instantly.
Margaret gripped the blanket.
Her right hand trembled.
Then she signed one word.
Eleanor.
Claire nodded.
Yes.
Tears filled Margaret's eyes.
Then she signed something else.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Tell him the truth.
Claire's stomach tightened.
What truth?
Margaret closed her eyes.
May you like
Then signed three words that made Claire's blood run cold.
His daughter lives.
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