“Your Husband Is Amazing,” the Nurse Told My Boss—She Looked at Me and Said, “I Know.”
Chapter 7
The accusation arrived on a Monday morning.
Claire was in New York when Victoria called.
“Can you come to my office?”
“Of course.”
Victoria closed the door when Claire entered.
“There’s something you need to know.”
She placed a file on the desk.
Claire opened it.
Inside were financial records.
Hospital payments.
Insurance documents.
Several large transfers.
Claire frowned.
“What is this?”
“Your husband’s.”
Claire looked up.
“What about them?”
“He has been receiving money from a charitable foundation.”
Claire’s stomach tightened.
“That’s impossible.”
“Why?”
“Because he pays for Emily’s care himself.”
Victoria nodded.
“That’s what I thought.”
She handed Claire another document.
“This foundation is connected to a company currently trying to buy one of our subsidiaries.”
Claire stared.
“Are you saying Ethan is involved?”
“I’m saying someone is trying to make it look that way.”
Claire felt cold.
“Who?”
Victoria shook her head.
“We don’t know.”
“Then why investigate him?”
“Because his name appears on several documents.”
Claire looked closer.
The signatures weren’t Ethan’s.
She knew his handwriting.
“These are forged.”
Victoria nodded.
“I think so too.”
“Then what?”
“Someone wants to use your husband as leverage.”
Claire sat down.
“Why?”
“Because you’re leading the acquisition.”
The realization hit her.
Someone had discovered Ethan’s secret.
They knew about Emily.
They knew about the hospital.
They knew Claire’s husband had made years of payments.
And they were using that history to create the appearance of financial corruption.
Claire called Ethan immediately.
He answered.
“Hey.”
“Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ever receive money from the Hale Foundation?”
There was silence.
“Claire…”
“Did you?”
“Once.”
Her heart sank.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I returned it.”
“When?”
“Years ago.”
“What was it for?”
“Emily’s treatment.”
“Why return it?”
“Because they wanted something.”
“What?”
“They wanted access to her medical information.”
Claire froze.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
Ethan’s voice became tense.
“That’s why I stopped dealing with them.”
Claire immediately understood.
Someone had been watching Emily.
But why?
That evening, Claire returned to Boston.
Ethan met her at the airport.
They didn’t speak until they reached the car.
Then Claire asked:
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing.”
She stared at him.
“Don’t do that again.”
He sighed.
“I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“That whoever was behind this would come after you.”
Claire took his hand.
“They already did.”
Ethan looked at her.
“We need to find out who.”
Claire nodded.
For the first time, they were facing the problem together.
But neither knew that the answer was hidden in a place Ethan had avoided for twenty years.
His father’s old house.
