The Hospital File

The office door shut behind them with a soft click, and Elena hated how small the sound was after what had just happened out in the dining room.

Damian stood by the desk with one hand on the back of a chair. Sofia was still in his arms, heavy with sleep and shock, her fingers curled in his shirt. Marco had already turned on the desk lamp and spread a stack of papers beside a half-finished glass of water.

“Sit,” Damian said.

Elena did not. She stayed by the door, one hand at her throat, watching him like he might change shape again.

Marco slid a photo across the desk. It was a hospital wristband, dated two years ago. Elena saw her name before she saw anything else.

St. Agnes Hospital.

Her mouth went dry.

Damian picked up another sheet. “Your daughter was born at St. Agnes. Same night my wife died.”

Elena laughed once, but there was no sound in it. “Your wife.”

He gave her a hard look. “Bianca Caruso. They told me she died giving birth.”

Sofia shifted against him, then reached past his shoulder and touched Elena’s sleeve with two fingers. Elena’s hand jerked toward her chest.

Marco kept talking, careful and quick. “There’s a discharge record. A nurse signature. Your mother’s name is on it.”

That landed like a shove. Luciana. Elena stared at the paper until the words blurred.