Starting with the cancer detection software that Morgan Tech shelved. I licensed it from the company, paid fair market value, all above board, and now we’re going to bring it to market regardless of the profit margins. And you’re funding this? How? Laura asked, though she already knew the answer. Combination of my own money, grant funding, and investors who care more about impact than returns, Rachel said.

I pitched at a social venture capital forum last month. Jack and Sophie came to watch, and having them in the audience reminded me why I was doing this. The investor stood up and applauded when I finished. Were fully funded for the first two years. Laura smiled, remembering that pitch. She’d been there, too, watching Rachel present with a passion and authenticity that had been missing from her corporate presentations for years.

This wasn’t CEO Rachel performing for shareholders. This was Dr. Rachel Morgan. She’d started using her PhD again, sharing research that could change the world. “So, when do you officially move in here?” Laura asked. “Next week,” Rachel said. “I’ve hired a small team, three researchers from Morgan Tech who are frustrated by the commercial focus, two software engineers who believe in the mission, and a project manager who has experience bringing medical devices through FDA approval.

It’s lean, but that’s intentional. I don’t want to build another empire. I want to build something meaningful. And where does that leave you and Jack? Laura asked carefully. She’d watched her former boss navigate this new relationship over the past 3 months with unusual caution, clearly trying to do things right. Rachel’s face softened at the mention of Jack’s name. We’re taking it slow.

I got my own apartment, small place about 10 minutes from his. Nothing fancy. We have dinner together three or four times a week. Sometimes at his place, sometimes at mine. Sophie comes to my apartment on Saturdays and we’ve established a routine of farmers market in the morning and cooking together in the afternoon.

It’s She paused, searching for the right word. It’s healthy, real, no drama, no intensity, just two people getting to know each other while also making sure Sophie feels secure. But, Laura prompted hearing the hesitation. But I’m ready for more, Rachel admitted. I know we agreed to take things slow and I understand why, but three months in, I’m more certain about him than I was about Andrew after three years.

Jack grounds me, challenges me, makes me want to be better. And Sophie, Rachel’s voice caught slightly. Sophie’s become one of the most important people in my life. When I imagine my future now, they’re both in it, centrally in it. Have you told Jack that? Not yet, Rachel said. I’ve been waiting for the right moment, which is probably just me being scared.

What if he doesn’t feel the same way? What if I’m rushing things again and he thinks I’m not ready for serious commitment? Rachel, Laura said with the frankness of someone who’d worked closely with her for years. That man looked at you like you hung the moon the first time I met him when he brought Sophie to your pitch presentation and she held up a handmade sign that said, “Go, Ms. Morgan.

He was watching you with this expression of complete adoration. He’s not going to think you’re rushing things. He’s probably waiting for you to catch up to where he already is. Before Rachel could respond, her phone rang. “Jack’s name appeared on the screen, and she answered with a smile that was becoming automatic whenever she heard from him.

” “Hey, you,” she said. “What’s up?” “Quick question,” Jack said, and she could hear Sophie singing in the background. “Sophie wants to know if you can come to her piano recital tonight. I know it’s last minute and you probably have work stuff, but she’s been asking all morning.” and I told her I’d at least check.

“What time?” Rachel asked, warmth flooding through her at the invitation. “7:00 at the school auditorium. She’s playing Furiss and she’s nervous about it, but she said having you there would help her be brave.” Rachel checked her calendar, though she already knew she’d move anything to be there. “Tell Sophie I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

I’ll be in the front row.” “You don’t have to sit in the front row,” Jack said. But she could hear the pleasure in his voice. Parents usually take those seats. Then I guess it’s good that I’m Rachel stopped the word family dying on her lips because they hadn’t defined what she was to Sophie and she didn’t want to overstep.

I’ll be there at 6:30, she finished instead. After ending the call, Rachel found Laura watching her with a knowing expression. What? Rachel asked. You’re in love with him, Laura said simply. and with Sophie and you’re terrified of admitting it because the last time you trusted someone with your heart, he tried to steal your company and have you declared incompetent.

“When did you become so perceptive about my personal life?” Rachel asked, but she didn’t deny it. “I’ve been working with you for 5 years,” Laura said. “I know when you’re calculating business risks versus when you’re dealing with emotional ones. This is emotional and you’re overthinking it. Just tell the man how you feel. What’s the worst that could happen? He could not feel the same way and I’d lose the best thing in my life,” Rachel said quietly.

“Or he could feel exactly the same way and you’d gain everything you’ve been missing,” Laura countered. Rachel, you walked into a boardroom and faced down federal charges, exposed massive corruption, and risked your entire career for what was right. “You can handle telling a good man that you love him.” Rachel spent the rest of the afternoon touring the warehouse with contractors and making final decisions about laboratory layouts.

But her mind kept drifting to the piano recital, to Sophie’s nervous excitement, to Jack’s steady presence that had become as essential to her as breathing. Laura was right. She needed to tell him how she felt. Tonight, after the recital, she’d find the courage to be as honest about her feelings as she’d been about Andrew’s corruption.

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