The room tilted. My heartbeat roared in my ears.

Dr. Clarke leaned forward, his voice unsteady.
“Emily… there’s more. Something I haven’t told you because I was legally prohibited from doing so.”

I stared at him, disbelief freezing me in place.

“Prohibited from what?”

He wiped his brow, suddenly looking years older.

“Lily wasn’t only my patient. Without your knowledge, she was placed into a protection program… years ago.”

My stomach dropped.

“What kind of protection program?”

Agent Hayes stepped in.

“Mrs. Whitmore, eleven years ago your late husband unintentionally witnessed a trafficking transaction connected to an international criminal network. Authorities believed your family could be at risk. Lily was discreetly monitored—routine medical visits doubled as welfare checks, and her records were sealed.”

Nausea rose in my throat.