— The pills contain a combination of mild sedatives and a very specific medication called Risperidone, usually used to treat certain psychiatric disorders. In the doses we found in Ellie’s system, this medication can cause temporary selective mutism.
— You’re saying my wife has been drugging Ellie for years to keep her silent?
— But that’s not the worst part, Michael.
Michael gripped the arms of the chair.
— What else?
— We also found traces of a drug used to suppress short-term memory. Ellie not only couldn’t speak, but she likely has gaps in her memory about specific events.
Michael’s world crumbled. Why? Why would Victoria do this? Dr. Miller hesitated before continuing.
— Michael, there’s one more thing. We ran DNA tests as part of the protocol when we suspect medical tampering. Ellie is not your wife’s biological daughter.
Michael felt like he couldn’t breathe.
— What are you saying?
— Ellie is your biological daughter, no doubt about that. But Victoria is not her mother. The genetic markers confirm it absolutely.
Michael’s mind began to race. He remembered Ellie’s early years, how Victoria always seemed distant with the baby, how she insisted on nannies for everything, how she never showed the maternal instinct he’d expected to see.
— Doctor, is it possible Victoria adopted Ellie without me knowing?
— Possible, but given the systematic drugging, I suspect something much darker. I recommend you contact the authorities immediately.
Michael walked out of the clinic like a zombie. Everything he believed about his life was a lie. Victoria had been poisoning Ellie for years, keeping her silent for reasons he didn’t yet understand.
His phone rang. It was Victoria.
— Michael, my flight lands at 6:00. How is Ellie? Is that nonsense about her talking over yet?
The coldness in her voice made Michael nauseous.
— Victoria, we need to talk when you get here.
— Of course, I have some important news to share about Ellie’s future schooling.
The line went dead, leaving Michael with a sense of absolute dread. Victoria knew he’d found something, and she had a plan.
Michael went home and found Ellie playing in the garden with Mrs. Gable. Seeing him, she ran over with a wide smile.
— Daddy, can we go see Hope today? I want to show her my book of fairytales.
Michael hugged her tight, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair.
— Of course, sweetheart. But first, I need to ask you a very important question.
They sat under the shade of a large oak tree in the yard.
— Ellie, do you remember when you were very little? Do you remember your mommy from before?
Ellie frowned, as if trying to access blurred memories.
— Sometimes I dream about a very pretty lady who sang to me. She had hair like mine, brown, and she smelled like flowers.
Michael’s heart broke.
— What else do you remember about her?
— She said she loved me very much, but that she had to go away.
— And then?
— Then everything got very confusing. And Mommy Victoria came.
— When did Mommy Victoria come?
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