Chapter 14 - The Plan to Leave
They spoke in the hospital room after midnight.
No lawyers. No security. Just Adrian and Claire with the fetal monitor pulsing quietly between them.
"I wasn't leaving because I stopped loving you," Claire said.
Adrian sat in the chair beside the bed, too tired to hide how much the words hurt.
"Then why?"
"Because I thought your mother was right about one thing."
He waited.
"I thought you would always choose the company first."
Adrian looked away.
Claire continued. "Ruth helped me draft a temporary separation agreement. Not a divorce. I wanted a place in Michigan near my sister. I wanted to get the baby somewhere Evelyn couldn't walk in whenever she wanted."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you kept saying, 'After Singapore.'"
He closed his eyes.
After Singapore.
After the merger.
After the next flight.
He had used the future as a storage room for every conversation that made him uncomfortable.
"I was going to tell you when you came home," Claire said. "Then you walked in and found me on the floor."
Adrian took her hand.
"You had every reason to plan an exit."
She searched his face.
"You're not angry?"
"I'm angry at myself."
"That isn't useful either."
He almost smiled.
"Fair."
Dr. Patel entered with test results. The baby was stable, but Claire needed bed rest and observation. Delivery could happen any time now.
At two in the morning, Detective Ortiz arrived.
"Evelyn was released pending further review on the financial allegations," she said. "The shooting charge is complicated because Pike's message is vague. But the medication and medical-record tampering are moving faster."
Adrian's jaw tightened. "So she can just walk out?"
"For tonight, yes."
Claire closed her eyes.
Ortiz added, "Marcus wants a deal."
Adrian looked up.
"He says Evelyn has a storage unit in Northbrook."
"What's in it?"
"He doesn't know everything. But he says she kept backups there."
"Of what?"
Ortiz hesitated.
"Files on you. Claire. The board. Judges. Reporters. Staff."
Claire opened her eyes.
May you like
Ortiz's voice lowered.
"He called it her insurance room.
