Date Published: December 9, 2025
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
The Hippocratic Oath dictates, “First, do no harm,” but what if success demands it?
The calm and compassionate Dr. Joyce Porter is proud to work at McArthur Fertility Institute, where miracles happen every day. Couples determined to conceive flock to the clinic, drawn by its unmatched IVF success rate and glowing reputation.
But behind the clinic’s shining facade lies a disturbing secret. When another doctor mentions a peculiarity in the facility’s methods, Joyce investigates. What she discovers is worse than she could have imagined. Now, she must decide whether to confront the institute’s renowned director about his unscrupulous deeds or compromise her ethics by turning a blind eye. She knows staying silent could destroy people’s lives, but speaking out could destroy hers.
As the line between healing and harm blurs, Joyce must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect her patients, her integrity, and the future she still hopes to build.
Excerpt
December 13, 2010: Breaking headline on the website of KTXR, Richmond, Virginia.
“Premier Fertility Center Shut Down Amid Rumors Involving Possible Illegal Use of Donor Sperm”
McArthur Fertility Institute, located in Richmond, Virginia, has been ordered to cease all operations by the Virginia Department of Health. Dr. Owen Hicks, the Institute’s director, had his medical license suspended pending an investigation into the Institute’s possible use of donor sperm without patient consent.
Earlier this morning, the university released a statement saying, “All fertility services, including in vitro fertilization, are temporarily suspended pending an investigation into possible inconsistencies regarding use of donor sperm. We continue to have our patients’ safety and well-being as our primary focus.” Additionally, KTXR learned that more than one hundred patients who become pregnant during the previous year simultaneously received registered letters referencing “possible inconsistencies” and were directed to call and arrange counseling and/or genetic testing as appropriate.
McArthur University recruited Dr. Hicks and his partner, Dr. Ajay Kumar, to start the Institute twelve years ago. Boasting a pregnancy rate 30% higher than the industry norm, it has become a premier center in the field of infertility treatment and cutting-edge technologies.
Calls to McArthur were referred to their legal representative, Kirsten Clarke, of Powell, Siegel and Hill, LLC.
Tune into the ten o’clock news as KTXR interviews two couples who received treatment at McArthur and are currently pregnant and facing some tough decisions.
The first time Evie and Leon Coleman entered the luxurious lobby of the McArthur Fertility Institute, she had gone right to the fountain and gazed at the glittering coins littering the bottom. Beside her, Leon fished a shiny penny from his pocket and held it out to her. She’d tossed it toward the far side and watched her reflection in the disturbed water. Her large brown eyes stared back at her, shimmering with so much hope.
Now they’d been coming here for months in an increasingly desperate attempt to have a baby. They had spent most of their meager savings on one IVF cycle. If this didn’t work, they’d have to find another way. The procedure two weeks ago had been technically successful, and today they’d learn if they would finally become parents.
A solemn hush surrounded them. The outside noise became a mere whisper. Leon turned her toward him, smoothed her curly black hair with his big hands, and then enveloped her in his strong arms.
Standing outside the clinic’s door, she drew in a breath, momentarily closed her eyes for a quick prayer, and took Leon’s hand. As she moved to open the door, he tugged her to a stop.
His tone was soft but urgent when he whispered, “Evie, I love you. No matter what.”
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About the Author
Her dedication to helping patients and students left her little time to write, but the idea for a novel stuck with her. Inspired by deeply moving stories of couples undergoing IVF, she developed her first novel, In Vitro.
Now retired, M.J. lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a spicy cat named Simon. She volunteers at a local elementary school, where she reads with kindergarteners to foster a love of books. Tai chi, crafting, and wine tasting are a few of her favorite hobbies.
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