Chapter 7 - A Broken Circle
"The police are already on their way," Dr. Vale’s voice echoed down the hall.
She emerged from the stairwell, bruised but triumphant, accompanied by three city police officers and two federal agents whom she had called while I was running upstairs.
Dr. Vance followed shortly behind in handcuffs, flanked by federal officers. His tailored suit was covered in archive dust, his arrogant demeanor completely shattered.
"This is a mistake!" Vance shouted at the officers. "I am the chairman of this institution!"
"You're a child trafficker, Arthur," Dr. Vale said coldly, handing the master file and a thumb drive containing decade-old digital ledgers over to the lead FBI agent. "And your ledgers detail every single family you’ve torn apart over the last fifteen years."
The federal agent glanced through the files, his expression darkening. "Dr. Vance, you have the right to remain silent. Take him away."
As Vance was led toward the elevators, Delia Voss slowly dropped to her knees, placing her hands behind her head. "I'll tell you everything," she whispered to the police. "Every baby. Every name. Every address."
Tessa collapsed against the wall, holding Ivy close, weeping tears of overwhelming relief. I knelt beside her, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.
"She's safe now, Tessa," I whispered. "She’s safe."
Dr. Vale walked over to us, looking down at Ivy, who was now quietly babbling in her mother's arms, oblivious to the storm that had just passed.
"You did it, Maren," Dr. Vale said softly. Then, she pulled a small blue folder from behind her coat and handed it to me.
May you like
"What's this?" I asked, my fingers trembling as I touched the paper.
"It’s the sealed adoption file from Connecticut," Dr. Vale said, a warm, hopeful smile gracing her lips. "Lena’s legal guardians were kept completely in the dark about how Vance’s agency acquired her. They are good people who were lied to. And an hour ago, I spoke to their attorney. They want to meet you."
