The Boy Wearing Her Missing Son's Necklace
Chapter 3: The Children Without Names
Evelyn stood between Daniel and Ben.
"How did you know we were here?"
Daniel looked around the café before lowering his voice.
"I've been following you."
"For how long?"
"Since this morning."
Ben slid down in his seat, trying to hide.
Evelyn stared at the man she had once trusted more than anyone.
"Tell me what you know."
Daniel sat across from them.
Six years earlier, the hospital had not lost Alex by accident. A private adoption network had been operating through the maternity ward, taking babies from families they considered easy to manipulate.
Wealthy clients paid for children with clean records.
Other children were kept for medical trials funded through a charity.
Evelyn felt sick.
"And Alex?"
Daniel looked at Ben.
"Alex was taken because of me."
Evelyn's voice became dangerously quiet. "Explain."
Daniel had owed money to a powerful businessman named Victor Hale. When Daniel could not repay him, Hale demanded access to hospital records from the company Daniel managed.
Daniel gave him the information.
He claimed he never knew babies would be taken.
Evelyn did not believe him.
"You sold our son."
"No," Daniel said. "I made a terrible mistake."
Ben suddenly spoke.
"Victor is the man who left me on the street."
Daniel went still.
Ben pulled up his sleeve.
A number was written in faded ink along his arm.
"There were lots of us," he whispered. "They didn't use names."
Evelyn reached across the table.
"Was Alex there?"
Ben nodded.
"He helped me escape."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Why didn't he come with you?"
Ben began to cry.
"Because Victor caught him opening the gate."
Daniel stood abruptly. "Then Hale knows Ben escaped. We need to move now."
Outside, two black vehicles stopped beside the café.
Men stepped out.
Ben grabbed Evelyn's hand.
"They found us."
Then the café lights went dark.
