Chapter 14: The Doctor Who Knew Too Much
I couldn’t move.
The name on the page didn’t make sense.
Dr. Ellis.
The woman who delivered the diagnosis.
The woman who looked me in the eyes and told me the truth.
The woman I thought was the only person who had not betrayed me.
I read Rachel’s note again.
“Dr. Ellis knew more than she admitted.””
My hands shook.
Damon noticed.
“What is it?””
I looked at him.
For once, he looked genuinely afraid.
Not because he was caught.
Because he didn’t know.
“Rachel suspected Dr. Ellis.””
His expression changed.
“No.””
The answer came too quickly.
“You don’t know that.””
I stared.
“You’re defending her?””
“No.””
He stood.
“I’m saying that doesn’t make sense.””
“Neither did everything else.””
He had no response.
I called Dr. Ellis.
She answered after two rings.
“Camille?””
My voice was cold.
“We need to talk.””
A pause.
“About what?””
“Rachel.””
Silence.
That silence told me something.
“You knew.””
“Camille…”
“You knew Rachel was investigating Damon.””
“Yes.””
“You knew about the second exposure.””
Another pause.
“I knew about his concerns.””
“His concerns?””
I felt anger rising.
“You always have careful words.””
She didn’t answer.
“I found Rachel’s notes.””
A long silence.
Then:
“Where?””
I froze.
Not “what notes?””
Not “what did they say?””
Where.
“You’re worried about the notes.””
“No.””
But her voice changed.
She was worried.
“I need you to meet me.””
“Why?””
“Because there are things you don’t understand.””
I almost laughed.
“That’s the problem.””
My voice shook.
“Everyone keeps saying that.””
We met at a quiet park.
Dr. Ellis arrived alone.
She looked tired.
Older.
Like she had been carrying something heavy for years.
“I owe you the truth.””
I crossed my arms.
“Yes.””
She sat down.
“Rachel was right to question the records.””
My heart tightened.
“What records?””
“The original diagnosis documents.””
I stared.
“You changed them?””
“No.””
Her answer was immediate.
“But someone did.””
“Who?””
She looked at me.
“I don’t know.””
I didn’t believe her.
Not completely.
“You knew Damon was hiding things.””
“Yes.””
“You knew he was putting me at risk.””
“Yes.””
“And you still didn’t tell me.””
Her eyes lowered.
“I couldn’t.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
She looked up.
“I couldn’t legally disclose his private information.””
“But you could watch me marry him.””
The pain in my voice surprised even me.
Dr. Ellis looked devastated.
“I tried to stop him.””
“You tried.””
“Yes.””
“That wasn’t enough.””
She nodded.
“You’re right.””
That admission softened me slightly.
Not forgiveness.
Just recognition.
“What did Rachel find?””
Dr. Ellis looked around.
Then lowered her voice.
“She found evidence that someone manipulated Damon’s fear.””
“What does that mean?””
“Someone convinced him that telling you would destroy your life.””
I frowned.
“Who would do that?””
Dr. Ellis looked at me.
“Someone who benefited from him staying silent.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“Who?””
She hesitated.
Then:
“Vanessa.””
I stared.
“But Vanessa wanted him.””
“Yes.””
“She wanted him with her.””
“Yes.””
“She benefited from him lying.””
Dr. Ellis nodded.
“But she wasn’t the only one.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who else?””
Dr. Ellis looked down.
“Damon’s business partner.””
I blinked.
“What?””
“Someone who knew about Damon’s diagnosis before anyone else.””
“Why would he care?””
“Because Damon’s company was connected to a major lawsuit.””
I frowned.
“I don’t understand.””
Dr. Ellis sighed.
“Damon’s condition was not the reason for the lawsuit. But the person who knew about his diagnosis used it to control him.””
My mind raced.
A pattern appeared.
Everyone around Damon had been manipulating fear.
Fear of losing.
Fear of shame.
Fear of consequences.
“Who is this person?””
Dr. Ellis looked at me.
“His name is Marcus.””
The name meant nothing.
Until it did.
I remembered it.
A name on an old wedding invitation.
A name Damon mentioned once.
His closest friend.
The man who gave the speech at our wedding.
My phone rang.
Maya.
I answered.
“Camille?””
Her voice was urgent.
“You need to leave.””
“What?””
“Right now.””
“Why?””
A pause.
Then:
“Because Marcus knows you found the files.””
My heart stopped.
“How?””
“I don’t know.””
A sound came from behind me.
A car door closing.
I turned.
A black SUV was parked near the entrance.
Someone was sitting inside.
Watching.
Maya whispered:
“Camille, listen to me.””
“What?””
“Rachel wasn’t trying to expose Damon.””
The SUV started moving slowly.
“She was trying to protect you from Marcus.””
I looked at Dr. Ellis.
Her face had gone pale.
And then Maya said:
“The person who destroyed Rachel’s evidence…”
May you like
A pause.
“Is the same person who is trying to destroy yours.””