Chapter 5
The second file transfer changed everything.
Harrington Systems employed one hundred and forty-three people.
Engineers.
Designers.
Customer support specialists.
Administrative staff.
People who depended on our company to support their families.
The software we'd developed helped monitor safety conditions in hospitals and industrial buildings.
Our newest product had taken four years to build.
Four years of research.
Testing.
Failed prototypes.
And long nights.
Now confidential design information had apparently reached a competitor through an unauthorized channel.
I felt sick.
Andre stood beside the conference room window.
"We need to know what they received."
Angela nodded.
"The cybersecurity team is reviewing the files."
I looked down.
"Could they copy the product?"
Andre hesitated.
"Parts of it, maybe."
My stomach tightened.
"But they don't have everything."
He shook his head.
"Not from what we've seen."
I exhaled.
Still, the damage could be serious.
We had contracts pending.
Investors asking questions.
Customers waiting for new features.
And a competitor might have information they shouldn't possess.
I took a breath.
"Then we protect the company."
Angela nodded.
"We're already preparing the appropriate legal steps."
I looked at Andre.
"And our employees?"
He understood immediately.
"We tell them there's a security issue under investigation without spreading rumors."
I nodded.
I didn't want innocent people frightened by speculation.
That afternoon, Angela arranged a meeting with our department leaders.
I stood at the front of the room.
My heart pounded.
I told them we were investigating unauthorized access to confidential documents.
I explained that operations would continue.
That we were strengthening security.
And that anyone with relevant information should speak to the designated investigators.
I didn't mention Nia by name.
I didn't mention Devon.
I didn't turn a professional issue into a public argument.
After the meeting, our lead engineer, Kiara Williams, approached me.
She was thirty-five.
Brilliant.
Practical.
And one of the people who'd spent countless nights helping us test the product.
"Malik?"
I turned.
"Yeah?"
She looked serious.
"Is our work safe?"
My throat tightened.
"We're doing everything we can to protect it."
She nodded.
Then whispered, "My team has been working on this for years."
"I know."
Her eyes filled.
"We gave up weekends. Birthdays. Family dinners."
I felt my chest tighten.
"I know."
She looked directly at me.
"Please don't let someone steal it."
I swallowed.
"I won't."
When she walked away, I stood alone for several minutes.
I thought about Nia's laughter at graduation.
Devon's smug smile.
The diamond ring.
And how foolish I'd felt.
But this was bigger than humiliation.
People's work mattered.
Their futures mattered.
I couldn't let my personal grief distract me from protecting them.
That evening, Arthur called again.
He sounded worried.
"Nia left the house."
I frowned.
"What?"
"She packed a bag."
My stomach tightened.
"Where did she go?"
"I don't know."
I closed my eyes.
"Did she say why?"
Arthur hesitated.
"She said Devon was angry."
My heartbeat quickened.
"About what?"
"He found out she'd contacted your attorneys."
I stared at the wall.
Arthur continued.
"She told me he wanted her to sign a statement saying you voluntarily shared company documents."
I felt cold.
"Did she sign it?"
"She says no."
I swallowed.
I didn't know whether to believe her.
But the situation was becoming dangerous.
Not necessarily physically.
Financially.
Legally.
Emotionally.
Devon seemed determined to force a story that protected him.
I took a breath.
"Arthur, tell her to speak with her own attorney."
He sighed.
"I already did."
"Good."
Then he whispered, "Malik, I know she hurt you."
I remained silent.
"But she's still my daughter."
My chest softened.
"I know."
His voice cracked.
"I don't want her making another terrible decision because she's frightened."
I looked toward my desk.
The ring box sat inside the top drawer.
I hadn't opened it since graduation.
I took a breath.
"Arthur, she needs to tell the truth."
He nodded.
"I know."
"And she needs independent legal advice."
"Yes."
I swallowed.
"I hope she's safe."
Arthur began crying.
"Thank you."
I ended the call.
For several minutes, I sat quietly.
I didn't want Nia back.
I didn't want to marry her.
But I also didn't want her harmed.
That was something I had to remind myself.
A person could betray me without becoming someone I wished suffering upon.
The next morning, Angela informed me that Nia had retained her own attorney.
She had agreed to preserve messages and devices relevant to the investigation.
She also provided a statement describing how Devon obtained access to the documents.
According to her account, she initially believed he wanted information for a legitimate business introduction.
Then he asked her to send more files.
When she questioned him, he told her it was harmless.
She admitted she should have refused.
She also acknowledged that she gave him access to my apartment while I was away.
I sat silently while Angela summarized the statement.
My chest hurt.
Not because I was surprised.
Because every new detail confirmed how easily Nia had betrayed my trust.
Angela looked at me.
"Malik, are you okay?"
I shook my head.
"No."
She nodded.
I took a breath.
"But let's keep going."
She turned another page.
"There's an important detail."
I looked up.
"What?"
"Nia says Devon promised her a position in his investment company."
I frowned.
"Doing what?"
"Business development."
I nodded slowly.
Then Angela continued.
"He also promised her an ownership interest."
My stomach tightened.
"How much?"
"Ten percent."
I stared at her.
A ten-percent stake in an investment company.
That was the future Nia had chosen over me.
But then Angela showed me a document.
The proposed agreement.
I read it carefully.
My expression changed.
The supposed ownership interest was conditional.
It depended on Nia helping secure business relationships and delivering valuable introductions.
I looked at Angela.
"She wasn't being offered a real partnership."
Angela nodded.
"The terms were highly unfavorable."
I continued reading.
Then I saw another clause.
Nia would be personally responsible for certain expenses and losses.
My stomach twisted.
Devon hadn't been offering her financial security.
He'd been offering her risk wrapped in luxury promises.
I looked at Angela.
"Does she know?"
Angela sighed.
"Her attorney is reviewing it."
I closed my eyes.
Nia had left me for a future she didn't understand.
And now the man she chose was trying to make her carry the consequences.
Then Angela's phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
"What?"
She listened.
Then looked directly at me.
After ending the call, she spoke quietly.
"The competitor has acknowledged receiving confidential material."
My heart pounded.
"And?"
"They claim Devon represented that he had authorization."
I stared at her.
She continued.
"They're willing to preserve the documents and cooperate with a review."
I felt relief.
But Angela wasn't finished.
"Malik, Devon also gave them a signed authorization letter."
My stomach tightened.
"Signed by whom?"
She hesitated.
"By you."
I stopped breathing.
May you like
Because suddenly, I understood Devon hadn't only used my name.
He had apparently forged my approval.
