Burned By The Fire He Started

Synopsis

In the fire, Carter Sterling would rather let himself be burned than see my experimental data destroyed. "This is Nia's data for the Municipal Innovation Award. I can't bear to see her heartbroken," he said. Everyone praised Carter for loving his wife so profoundly. Until another woman submitted my project for the award. The supervisor column bore Carter Sterling's name. I was on the phone with the organizers, asking if there had been a mistake. Carter walked into the lab, his face alight with relief. "Vivian's baby is safe. The drugs you gave her didn't affect the fetus." His words turned my blood to ice. "Say that again. I never gave her any drugs." Carter rubbed his temples, a flash of weary impatience in his eyes. "Vivian has chosen to let it go. Why must you keep lying?" "Forget it. I've already withdrawn your award submission and given the data to Vivian." "With you out of the way, the award will undoubtedly be hers." "Consider it compensation for nearly causing her to miscarry." My heart plunged into an abyss. But he didn't know. Due to the exceptional significance of my results, I had already been granted the National Award ahead of schedule. I had even received an invitation to be a judge for the very municipal competition he'd just barred me from.