Inside, the air carried a faint smell of antiseptic and faded flowers. The receptionist looked up with polite confusion as he approached. Ethan pulled his phone from his pocket and brought up Lina’s photo. “Please…this is my wife. She’s missing—and she has our newborn, just hours old.”
His voice cracked, pleading past pride. “I think she’s been visiting someone here. Could you tell me who? I know you have confidentiality rules, but I’m begging you—as a husband, as a father—please.” Every muscle in his body tensed while he waited for her reply.