I grabbed the plastic bag and drove straight to the hospital. At reception, I unfolded one of my missing-person posters and placed my mother’s ring beside it. The receptionist initially explained that she couldn’t disclose private patient information. But after examining the photograph, her expression changed. She searched the hospital system and discovered that an unidentified woman had been admitted several weeks earlier. She had been found barefoot beside a country road, confused and unable to remember her name or where she lived. Doctors suspected a medical emergency or injury had affected her memory.

Then the receptionist revealed something even more shocking. The woman had suffered a seizure the previous evening, and two regular visitors were already beside her. They were an older couple. My heart began pounding as I remembered the green dress and silver-haired man from Bellamy’s. I begged to see the patient, explaining that my mother had been missing for four months. After a phone call, the receptionist printed a visitor badge and directed me toward room 318.