The Poor Boy Brought a Millionaire's Baby Back
CHAPTER 4 — The Memory He Gave Away
William stood between Elias and the incubator.
"No."
Elias stared at him.
"Your baby is dying."
"And you are a child."
William had spent his life believing everything possessed a price. Hotels, loyalty, silence and influence could all be purchased.
But he would not buy his son's life with another child's mind.
Dr. Mercer appeared behind them.
"Let the boy do what he was born to do."
Claire slapped him.
"He was born to live."
Before security could remove Mercer, Elias slipped around William and placed both hands against Noah's chest.
The room darkened around him.
Elias heard the quiet place open.
He saw Noah surrounded by warmth, drifting farther away. Behind the baby stood other shadows, including a woman Elias recognized without remembering her name.
His mother.
She did not speak.
She simply pushed Noah toward him.
Elias pulled.
The infant gasped.
His heartbeat returned.
At the same moment, Elias collapsed.
Doctors rushed Noah into emergency surgery. Another team worked on Elias.
Mercer attempted to enter, claiming only he understood the boy's condition. William ordered security to restrain him.
Police arrived with evidence recovered from the Evergreen Institute. Mercer had falsified guardianship records, conducted unauthorized experiments and sold access to Elias's medical data.
He was arrested in the hospital corridor.
Noah survived surgery.
Elias remained unconscious for nine hours.
Claire sat beside him, reading Hannah's journal aloud. William held the boy's hand and apologized to a child who could not hear him.
Near dawn, Elias opened his eyes.
Claire began crying.
"You're safe."
The boy looked around the room.
He saw William.
He saw the photograph of Hannah.
He saw the newborn sleeping nearby.
There was no recognition in his expression.
"What's your name?" Claire asked gently.
The boy stared at her.
Then fear filled his eyes.
"I don't know," he whispered. "I don't remember being anyone."
