Piper watched Gabriel pace her hospital room, phone pressed to his ear. Through the window, the morning sun cast long shadows across the city skyline.
"The board's concerns are noted," he said firmly. "But any decisions about Singapore will wait until Ms. Blackwood reviews the options." He paused, listening. "Yes, I understand the urgency. No, that's not negotiable."
Noah entered with coffee, handing one to Gabriel. "NICU update - little man's oxygen levels are perfect. The doctor says he might be ready for kangaroo care today."
A smile broke through Piper's exhaustion. "I need to see him."
"After your blood pressure stabilizes." Noah checked her monitors. "How's the board?"
"Terrified," Gabriel answered, ending his call. "Three members are pushing for an emergency vote on the expansion."
Piper tried to sit up straighter, wincing. "They can't vote without me."
"They're trying to invoke the medical emergency clause." Gabriel sat on the edge of her bed. "But I reminded them that any major decisions require seventy-two hours' notice."
"Smart." Piper squeezed his hand. "The Singapore documents?"
"The legal team's been through everything," Noah said. "Most of it is standard business practice. The questionable stuff all leads back to Jasper's personal accounts, not Blackwood Industries."
Relief flooded through her. "Thank you. Both of you. I know this isn't what you signed up for."
"Actually, it is." Gabriel's voice was gentle but firm. "You trusted us with your company and your family. We're not letting you down."
Her phone buzzed - Lily calling for their morning check-in. Noah held it up so she could see their daughter's face.
"Mommy! When can I see my brother?"
"Soon, sweetheart. How's the lake house?"
"Boring. Dad says we have to stay inside because of reporters." Lily's nose wrinkled. "But Uncle Marcus sent pizza last night."
"Be good for your dad, okay? I love you."
After they hung up, Piper closed her eyes. The constant fatigue was frustrating, but at least her head felt clearer today.
"The PR strategy's working," Noah reported, pulling up news coverage. "The market's stabilizing. Marcus's statement about the expansion plans shifted focus away from the investigation."
"And security?"
"Doubled at all properties," Gabriel confirmed. "No one gets near Lily or the baby without clearance."
A nurse entered with medication. "Time for your checkup, Ms. Blackwood. Gentlemen, would you mind stepping out?"
They headed for the door, but Piper caught their sleeves. "The board meeting - I need one of you there."
"Already planned," Gabriel assured her. "Noah's handling it while I coordinate with legal."
"We've got this," Noah added. "Focus on getting stronger."
She watched them leave, struck by their seamless teamwork. No competition, no ego - just absolute commitment to protecting what mattered.
The nurse checked her vitals. "Blood pressure's better today. The doctor might approve a short visit to the NICU this afternoon."
"Thank you." Piper settled back, already planning what needed attention first. The Singapore expansion couldn't wait much longer, board vote or not.
A commotion outside her door drew her attention. She heard Gabriel's voice, sharp with warning, then another voice she hadn't heard in fifteen years.
Her father.
"Sir, you can't go in there," a nurse protested.
"Like hell I can't. That's my daughter."
The door opened. James Blackwood stood there, older than she remembered but still imposing in his tailored suit. Gabriel and Noah flanked him, clearly unhappy about his presence.
"Hello, Piper."
She gripped her blanket. "What are you doing here?"
"A man can't visit his daughter and new grandson?" He stepped closer. "You look like hell."
"Get out."
"Not until you hear what I have to say." He glanced at Gabriel and Noah. "Privately."
"They stay." Piper's voice shook slightly. "Whatever you're selling, I'm not interested."
"This isn't about money." For the first time, she heard uncertainty in his tone. "It's about Singapore. About what really happened fifteen years ago."
The monitors betrayed her spike in heart rate. "I know what happened. You abandoned us. Stole from the company. Left Mom to clean up your mess."
"Is that what she told you?" He pulled out a thick envelope. "There's something you need to see. About the real reason I left. About who was really behind those deals."
"Don't." But her hand reached for the envelope anyway.
"Your mother's not who you think she is, Piper. Neither was Jasper's father." He set the envelope on her bed. "Read it. Then decide if you still want me to leave."
The monitors beeped faster. Noah moved toward her, concern etched on his face, but she waved him back.
"Why now?"
"Because history's repeating itself. The same players, the same schemes." Her father's eyes held genuine fear. "They're coming for you next. And this time, they won't just take the company."
Piper's hands trembled as she opened the envelope. Inside were documents - old contracts, photos, bank statements. Her mother's signature was everywhere.
And a name she'd seen just yesterday in the leaked Singapore files.
"Oh god." The room tilted slightly. "This can't be-"
"I tried to stop them back then. Tried to protect you." Her father's voice cracked. "I failed. I won't fail again."
The last photo showed her mother with Jasper's father - dated three days ago.
And they were meeting with the same Singapore investors who'd leaked the documents.
Everything she thought she knew was a lie.
And her mother was about to destroy it all.
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