I stood frozen in the hospital doorway, still reeling from Old Mrs. Sterling's bombshell. My entire life suddenly felt like a lie.
"Elara, dear!" Genevieve's voice switched to honeyed sweetness the moment she spotted us. Her earlier panic vanished behind a practiced smile. "I was just checking on Mrs. Sterling. Such a thoughtful woman."
Arthur's hand tightened protectively on my shoulder. I could feel the tension radiating from him.
Old Mrs. Sterling scoffed. "Liar. This woman was interrogating me about what I remember."
"Remember about what?" I asked, finding my voice.
"Nothing important," Genevieve cut in quickly. "The poor dear is confused. Her medication—"
"I'm not confused," Old Mrs. Sterling snapped. "I know what I saw that night. The babies were switched."
The room went silent. Arthur's grip on my shoulder became almost painful.
"What babies?" he demanded.
Old Mrs. Sterling's eyes clouded over, her moment of clarity fading. "I'm tired now. Come back tomorrow."
