Chapter 10 - THE PROJECT MY WIFE TRIED TO WARN ME ABOUT
Project Aurora had been my pride.
A medical technology initiative designed to improve monitoring for premature and medically fragile newborns.
I'd approved hundreds of millions in funding.
Attended press conferences.
Accepted awards.
And told reporters that the project represented the future of neonatal care.
But I hadn't read the internal reports carefully.
I delegated.
Trusted executives.
Signed approvals.
And moved on to the next acquisition.
Now investigators were examining whether someone had altered research records to conceal financial misconduct.
I felt sick.
“Was Eva harmed?” I asked Daniel.
“We have no evidence of that.”
I exhaled shakily.
“Thank God.”
“But the investigation is ongoing.”
I stared at the report.
Claire had tried to warn me.
Again.
And again.
And again.
I remembered one night when she was twenty-eight weeks pregnant.
She'd entered my office carrying a thick folder.
“Adrian, I need you to look at something.”
I'd barely glanced up.
“Tomorrow.”
“It's important.”
“Claire, everything is important lately.”
She'd gone quiet.
Then whispered:
“I wish I were.”
The memory nearly broke me.
I had watched her leave.
And done nothing.
Now I understood that she'd been trying to protect not only our family but other families whose children depended on the technology.
I contacted outside counsel and authorized full cooperation with regulators.
The company began an independent review of Project Aurora's financial and technical records.
Jonathan Pierce was suspended pending investigation.
The board was notified.
And I recused myself from decisions where my own compromised credentials created conflicts.
For once, I didn't try to bury the problem with money.
I wanted the truth.
That afternoon, Sienna called again.
I ignored it.
Then a message arrived.
We need to talk. Marcus is lying to both of us.
I stared at the screen.
Another message followed.
I didn't know about the babies.
I felt anger rise.
She knew Claire was pregnant.
She knew the hospital was calling.
She knew my children were being born.
But I had made the final choice to stay.
I wasn't going to let her become the only villain in a story where I had betrayed my family.
I forwarded the messages to my attorney.
Then blocked her number.
Three days later, Claire's attorney informed me I could attend Eva's cardiology appointment under agreed arrangements.
I arrived early.
No security entourage.
No expensive gifts.
Just me.
Claire entered carrying Eva.
Natalie followed with Ethan.
I stood.
“Hi.”
Claire nodded.
“Hello.”
The appointment lasted nearly an hour.
The cardiologist explained that Eva had a small structural heart finding that required monitoring but did not currently call for surgery.
Relief washed through me.
Claire cried quietly.
I wanted to hold her.
Instead, I handed her a tissue.
She accepted it.
Afterward, while Natalie stepped outside, Claire turned toward me.
“Adrian, I found something else in the foundation records.”
My chest tightened.
“What?”
She looked exhausted.
“I wasn't going to tell you until the investigators confirmed it.”
I swallowed.
“Tell me.”
She handed me a photograph.
It showed Jonathan Pierce standing beside Marcus Sterling.
And a third man.
Someone I recognized immediately.
My own father.
Richard Knox.
The man who'd supposedly retired from business ten years earlier.
Claire watched my expression.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Adrian, your father may have been involved in this from the beginning.”
