Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
FINN
Finn sat in the chair across from Paul's desk, Elena beside him. A week had passed since the presentation, and they all knew why they were here.
"I should probably be speaking to you separately," Paul said, not quite meeting their eyes. "But given the urgency of the situation, I thought it best that we handle this together."
He turned his tablet toward them. The local news website filled the screen, its headline prominent: "Bridgepoint Executive Accused of Research Sabotage, Financial Misconduct."
"This went live two ago," Paul said. "My phone hasn't stopped ringing."
Finn scanned the article. Someone had leaked the basics: David's bonus structure, the failed protocols, and the compressed timelines.
"The board held an emergency meeting," Paul continued. "Several decisions were made." He paused, visibly uncomfortable. "Finn, effective immediately, you're being removed from the project."
He knew the shoe had to drop at some point. There was no chance that they would get out of this unscathed, especially after David exposed their relationship in front of the board. And he knew it was better that he faced the brunt of the consequences rather than Elena.
But none of that made the pill easier to swallow. Eight years. Between his education and the research itself, he’d dedicated nearly a decade of his life to this work. To understanding traumatic brain injury, to developing treatments that might help people like his brother. And now it was over.
"This isn't about your work," Paul added. "Your contributions have been invaluable. But there’s your relationship with Dr. Herrera. And your personal connection to a patient from the former trials. You’re way too close to this."
"I understand," Finn said, his voice steadier than he felt.
Paul seemed surprised by the lack of pushback. "Once the investigation into David begins, they'll examine everything about this lab.” He paused, looking between them. “Your involvement with each other will likely come under review.”
Elena leaned forward. “What does that mean for us?”
Paul’s expression softened. “It means you’ll need to be careful. Keep things professional in public until this thing dies down. The optics matter right now.”
"What about the research?" Finn asked.
"That's the irony," Paul said. "The board removed all timeline restrictions yesterday. You have as much time as you need to complete the research. Your position is secure, though you'll be under review. They're bringing in an external reviewer to validate all findings."
"And the patients?" Finn asked. "Eric and the others?"
"They'll continue with the protocol under Dr. Herrera's supervision.”
They were in good hands. The best. That fact made this whole thing a little easier to swallow.
"I’m sorry that you won’t be able to see it through until the end," Paul offered.
Finn felt Elena’s eyes on him.
"I can write you a recommendation letter. Your work here has been exceptional, despite... circumstances." Paul finished.
“Thanks,” Finn said, the word coming out rougher than intended.
Paul looked between them. "Look, I know you're both good people doing important work. If it were up to me..." He shrugged. "But it's not."
The rest of the meeting passed in a blur as Paul went over project details with Elena.
When they left Paul’s office, they stood in awkward silence in the hallway.
Paul had given Elena a laundry list of tasks that had to be done this afternoon.
Finn, however, had no plan beyond leaving this building.
She looked at him, and he could see her trying to find the right words. “I have a million things to do right now,” she said, clearly frustrated. “But we’ll get coffee tonight and talk it over. Okay?”
“Okay,” Finn agreed.
He wanted to say more, but what was there to say? He was jobless and she was swamped.
“Seven?” she asked.
“Seven.”
Twenty minutes passed, and Finn had just finished loading his car with the last of the belongings from his desk. He took one last look at the Institute. It felt as though his entire life had led him to this place. And he had no regrets about his time there. But he suddenly felt very empty.
He got in his car without a destination in mind, just needing a drive to help process his situation.
The numbers were pretty straightforward.
He had been on a research assistant's salary.
Rent in Seattle was expensive. So were his student loans.
Money was pretty tight even before he lost his job.
Now? Now he had enough funds to stay for maybe two more months unless he found a new form of income.
It was only about a week ago that he made the promise to Elena that he wasn’t going anywhere. He meant every word. But if he couldn’t find work, the choice might not be his to make.
It was a lot to figure out. At least he had nothing but time on his hands until seven.
They sat across from each other in a corner booth, two cups of coffee between them.
"Traffic wasn't too bad getting here," Finn offered.
"No, not bad at all."
Finn searched for something else to say, something safe that wouldn't lead them into the conversation they both knew was coming. He decided he was going to say something about the weather.
"Cancel your lease and move in with me."
The words came out of nowhere, cutting Finn off before he could start.
"What?"
Elena leaned forward, her expression determined. "Just until you get on your feet. You have no income, Finn. And I know how expensive rent is here."
Finn set his cup down, trying to process. "Elena, we’ve only been together officially for what, a week? That's pretty fast to be moving in together."
"We already spend most of our time together," she pointed out.
"Working in a lab is a little different than living together," he ran a hand through his hair. "And what about Miguel? We haven't even talked to him about this."
“Miguel likes you—”
“He just started to like me,” Finn interrupted. “I don’t want to ruin that by suddenly moving in and disrupting his entire life.”
Elena nodded. “Okay, that’s a good point.” She tapped her fingers on the table. “But we need to be realistic. You don’t have many options right now, Finn. You either need to find a new job soon, or you’ll have to move out of your apartment.”
She was right. He had been doing the math in his head all afternoon. “I’ll figure something out,” he said, but he didn’t have any ideas yet.
“So let me help you figure it out,” Elena said, a little louder. “I can make some calls, write recommendation letters. I know people at—”
“You don’t have time for that,” Finn cut in. “You’re dealing with the investigation, working on the research, and taking care of Miguel. You already have too much on your plate.”
She studied him for a long moment, something unreadable in her expression. Then she tried again, her voice gentler. "At least let me make you dinner tomorrow night. Come over, we can—"
"You don't need to do that."
"Finn—"
"I'm fine, Elena. Really."
They went quiet. Elena's hands had gone still on the table, her eyes fixed on him with an intensity that made him want to look away.
“You’re allowed to need help too, Finn,” she said, a little edge to her voice.
He opened his mouth to argue, but nothing came out.
"You've been there for me through everything. Now it’s my turn and you won’t let me."
"It's not about that—"
"Then what is it about?" Elena demanded. "We’re partners now. That means we support each other. And it goes both ways."
She was right. He knew she was right. But accepting help felt like admitting he couldn't handle things on his own, like he was becoming a burden she'd eventually resent.
"I don't want to be another thing you have to worry about," he finally admitted.
Elena looked at him for a while, then frowned.
"Finn, you’re not a thing to worry about. You're the person I love. And in my culture, when someone offers to cook for you, the only answer is ‘what time?’"
Despite everything, Finn felt a small smile forming.
She reached across the table, her hand covering his. "We'll figure this out. Together. But you have to let me in, Finn. Let me help."
He looked at their joined hands. "Okay," he said. "Dinner tomorrow. I'll be there."
"Good." Elena squeezed his hand, a hint of her usual playfulness returning to her expression. "And if all else fails, we still have a good plan for robbing a bank."
"Simulated earthquake?" Finn asked.
"Absolutely not. My plan is actually based in reality."
Finn couldn’t help but smile. It had been a shit day. But whenever he looked at Elena, he realized how lucky he was.