Women’s Fiction
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
Prologue
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.
Chapter 1
Two months earlier
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.”
#####
About the Author
M.J. Kuhar worked in private practice as an OB-GYN for over a decade
before shifting to a career in higher education, first as an assistant
professor, then as a college dean, and finally as a vice president.
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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