Chapter 79

Chapter 79
Isolde

"Sarah thought it would be best if you didn't know the details," my father said, not meeting my eyes.

"And what about my birth parents?" I pressed. "Do you have any information about them from Memorial?"

My father's hesitation told me everything I needed to know. He was hiding something.

"This isn't the time or place," he said finally. "We can discuss this privately, later."

I studied him carefully, noting the sheen of sweat on his forehead, the way his eyes darted nervously around the room. Whatever he knew about Memorial Hospital and my origins, he wasn't willing to share it here. But someone else might.

My eyes scanned the crowded ballroom and landed on a distinguished older man with silver hair, deep in conversation with a group of hospital donors. Dr. Grayson, the longtime director of Memorial Hospital. If anyone would have records or memories of adoptions from the hospital, it would be him.

"Excuse me," I said abruptly, stepping away from our tense circle. "I need some air."

"Isolde—" my father started, but I was already moving through the crowd, Dorian close behind me.

"Not now," I whispered to Dorian. "I just spotted Dr. Grayson from Memorial Hospital. He might know something about my adoption."

Dorian's eyes narrowed, but he nodded. "I'll keep your father distracted. Be careful."

I weaved through the crowd, making my way toward Dr. Grayson. The elderly doctor was just breaking away from his group, heading toward the bar when I intercepted him.

"Dr. Grayson," I greeted him with a warm smile. "It's wonderful to see you again."

"Dr. Beck!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up with recognition. "Or I suppose it's Dr. Hawke now? Congratulations on your marriage."

"Thank you," I said, steering him toward a quieter corner of the room. "I was hoping I might have a word with you. It's about Memorial Hospital."

Dr. Grayson's smile remained fixed, but something flickered in his eyes. "Of course, my dear. What would you like to know?"

"I just learned that I was adopted from Memorial," I said, watching his face carefully. "I was hoping you might have some information about the circumstances. It would have been about twenty-two years ago."

Dr. Grayson's smile faltered slightly. "That's... quite some time ago, Dr. Hawke. And adoption records are confidential, as you know."

"I understand that," I assured him. "But I'm not asking for access to records right now. I just want to know if you remember anything about it. You were already the hospital director back then, weren't you?"

"I was, yes," he admitted, taking a sip of his drink. "But we handled many adoptions. I couldn't possibly remember the details of one from so long ago."

There was something evasive about his response. I pressed gently, "My adoptive father is Robert Beck. Surely that name would stand out in your memory?"

Dr. Grayson's knuckles whitened around his glass. "Robert, yes. Of course I remember him adopting a child with his wife Sarah. It was... an unusual case."

"Unusual how?" I asked, my heart beginning to race.

Dr. Grayson glanced around nervously. "This really isn't the place to discuss such matters, Dr. Hawke. Perhaps you could schedule an appointment at my office?"

"Just tell me one thing," I said, lowering my voice. "Do you know who my birth parents were?"

Dr. Grayson's eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, I saw something like recognition flash across his face, as though he were seeing someone else in my features.

"I'm afraid I can't help you with that," he said finally, his tone becoming formal. "Those records would have been sealed upon your adoption. Now, if you'll excuse me, I see someone I need to speak with."

He moved away quickly, almost bumping into a waiter in his haste to escape our conversation. His reaction only confirmed what I already suspected: he knew something about my origins, something he wasn't willing to share.

Across the room, I could see my father watching us intently, his face pale. Dorian had positioned himself nearby, engaging Abigail in conversation but clearly keeping an eye on everything.

I made my way back to Elissa and Aiden, my mind racing with new questions. Memorial Hospital. My birthplace, and possibly the key to understanding my strange immunity to werewolf influence and the healing properties of my blood.

"What happened?" Elissa whispered as I rejoined them. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Not a ghost," I murmured. "Just a piece of my past I never knew existed."

As we prepared to leave the party, I caught one final glimpse of Dr. Grayson, now deep in conversation with my father. Their heads were bent close together, their expressions serious. Whatever connection existed between Memorial Hospital, my father, and my mysterious origins, I was determined to uncover it.

"I need to go back to Memorial Hospital," I whispered to Dorian as we stepped outside into the cool night air. "There are records there that might tell me who I really am."

His amber eyes studied me intently before he nodded. "Tomorrow," he promised. "We'll go together."

As we walked to the car, I felt a strange mixture of emotions washing over me—anger at the half-truths I'd been told, confusion at Dr. Grayson's reaction, but also a growing determination. For the first time, I had a real lead about my biological parents and possibly the source of my unusual abilities.

I was someone else entirely. And I was determined to find out who.