Chapter 6 I Found My Sister

Novalee headed directly to the parking lot, slipping into her car. She inhaled deeply several times, gradually regaining her composure.

Her phone began to vibrate after a moment.

She hastily grabbed her phone, discovering a message from Alice Castillo, her only friend from overseas. Both from Valmead, Alice had returned with Novalee this time. With the changing of Lyle's school still unsettled and no suitable nanny hired, Alice had been staying with Lyle during Novalee's workdays.

A sudden concern for Lyle propelled Novalee to read the message quickly.

Alice said, "Novalee, done with your work? Call me when you're free. Lyle's found something important. He wants to tell you in person."

Without delay, Novalee dialed Alice.

As the call connected, Lyle's excited voice reached her. "Mommy! I've discovered something about my sister! You know, I've tried everything. Rowley once said her name in an interview. I checked all of the kindergartens in Valmead but found nothing. Then, I thought, even if she never went to school, she must've been sick once, so I searched the medical system in Valmead. And I found her! Possibly due to the Mitchell family having their own personal doctor, only two medical records were present in public hospitals regarding her. The first one was from five years ago, indicating she was just a few months old then. The second record was from yesterday, when she underwent emergency treatment at Valmead Hospital. I've reviewed the diagnosis. It appears she has congenital heart disease and suffered a heart attack last night."

Lyle's voice turned troubled. "How can my sister have congenital heart disease?"

Novalee's eyes widened. "You mean she was rushed to Valmead Hospital last night because of a congenital heart disease relapse?"

"Yes."

Her heart pounding, Novalee asked quickly, "Was it around nine last night?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

Novalee's voice failed her momentarily. Finally, she stammered, "Send me... the record. I need to see it."

"Okay."

With the call ended, Novalee sat stunned, her mind racing. Suddenly, clarity struck. She swiftly checked her payment record for last night's hospital visit.

She'd paid the emergency fees in Valmead Hospital at 9:36 p.m.

Her phone vibrated again. Lyle had sent the medical record screenshot. With trembling fingers, Novalee struggled to enlarge the image.

She examined it meticulously.

Carola Mitchell, female, almost six, emergency room, April 6, 2021, 9:29 p.m.

Novalee's hands quivered more violently. Last night, after the girl entered the emergency room, Novalee immediately went to pay the fees. The time lag was only a few minutes.

They were of the same age and had the same illness. They could very well be the same person.

Her hands shaking uncontrollably, she gripped her phone.

So the little girl she saved by accident last night was her daughter, who was abducted by Rowley and Pattie six years prior!

Novalee felt as if the air had been sucked out of her lungs.

Her daughter had seemed perfectly healthy at birth. How could she now have congenital heart disease?

Moreover, with Rowley and Pattie's engagement party in progress last night, why was Carola alone in the parking lot?

Had Rowley and Pattie mistreated her?

Since Carola was afflicted by a congenital heart disease, she needed to be on extended medication and treatment, didn't she? Even if the Mitchell family had their own doctor, was it possible for a mere family doctor to prescribe such specific medications?

How was it that Carola had only two medical records in public hospitals?

These questions flooded Novalee's mind, each one a puzzle demanding an answer.

She was drawn back to the image of the child from the previous evening. The little girl, so obedient yet so frail, endured her suffering with clenched teeth and moans of agony.

When she encountered the child, Novalee thought how pitiable she was, her family so negligent. But she hadn't realized then that it was her very own child!

Novalee's gaze dropped to the image Lyle had sent her, tears clouding her vision.

It took a moment, but reality soon struck her again.

Carola had been rushed to the hospital last night, her condition critical. Could she still be there?

Suddenly, hope ignited in Novalee's eyes. She wiped away her tears, started the car, and headed directly to Valmead Hospital.

Upon reaching the hospital, she went straight to the emergency department's nurses' station.

"Excuse me, I brought in a young girl with congenital heart disease last night. Is she still here? May I see her?"

The nurse's eyes narrowed, a hint of suspicion in her voice. "I'm sorry, but we can't disclose patients' information."

Novalee's hands balled into fists, nails digging into her skin. The pain helped her regain her composure. "Listen, I found that girl yesterday in a bad state and brought her here. At that time, I paid ten thousand dollars upfront for her medical care. I..."

Inhaling deeply, Novalee pressed on, "However, I find myself in dire need of funds. So, I'm wondering if her parents have arrived."

The nurse, having heard about this from colleagues, softened her expression. "Her family took her home last night."

Carola was gone.

The news left Novalee's fingers ice-cold.

"How can that be? Isn't she suffering from a congenital heart disease? This is a severe disease. How could she be released so soon?"

"The family mentioned that the patient had been undergoing treatment at a different hospital. Consequently, they went through the discharge process and left with her," the nurse replied, checking her computer. "We have the family's contact details. Show me your payment record from last night, and I can provide you his information."

"Okay." Novalee hastily presented the payment record, which the nurse verified. "That's correct. You were the one who brought her in last night. I'll give you the phone number of the person who collected her. You can reach out to him directly."

"Okay, thank you."

The nurse revealed a name and number.

Novalee found herself slightly taken aback. Instead of Pattie or Rowley, it was someone named Tyson Vazquez who came to collect Carola. Why?

Confused but in a rush, Novalee snapped a picture of the number.

Then, she texted it to Lyle. "Help me investigate this person and this number."