“Am I the physician here? Did I go to medical school, or did you?” she snaps. “That’s what I thought. License? Fire me then, Julie. I have documented every reason why this patient should be discharged. She was falsely admitted in the first place. I did my evaluation?—”
Every spit word surges within me like a stoked flame. Not of indignation, but ofpurpose. That woman is giving me a new leaf on why I want to practice medicine.
“No. She doesn’tneedmedications. I’m not prescribing anything. I don’t care. You want to give her a bunch of benzos? Go ahead. Wait…youcan’t? Why? Oh…because you’renot a doctor, I see.”
The more she fights, the better I feel. Mom scans my face for a reaction, and I give her a solid grin. Tucking me under her arm, we aim for the metal elevators, and I wave goodbye to the nurses.
“Nowthat’staken care of.”
I slump against the back wall, a lingering sort of paranoia creeping back in. “For now.”
Mom takes a deep breath. “For now.”
Looking at the numbers as we descend, I carefully ask her, “Are you all ready?”
She nods slowly. “Things are falling into place.”
I can sense her fear underneath, and I have it, too. Everything has to go off without a hitch. Or else?
We’ll all be dead.
I sigh. “I have to somehow explain to Evie and Amelia that I lied about the pregnancy. They don’t know.”
“They’ll understand. They’re your friends.”
“Yeah, but Amelia will be really disappointed in me.”
Mom snorts. “Yep. She will be. She’ll have to cancel the baby shower I’m sure she’s already planned in her head. Oh,shit. I’ll have to call her mother and tell her it’s not real, too.” She sighs, then kisses my temple. “At least you’re safe.”
Once the doors ding open, Mom leaves me on the first floor with a tight hug. “I love you, my Scout. You have my heart tucked inside you. Your father loves you. Your brothers love you. We’ll get through this.”
Tears heat my eyes. Although Iknowmy parents love me, it’s like sunshine breaking through the dark clouds to hear it. “I love you, too, Mom.”
We give each other one last solid look before she turns toward the opposite hall. The kind of look people sharewhen they’re both pretending this might be the last time they see each other.
Cold air blasts me in the face as I stroll through the darkened space. My flimsy sweatpants and T-shirt aren’t enough to cover me from the February chill.
Footsteps echo mine every time I move forward, and I pause, my pulse racing. When I pass a concrete pillar, a scream ravages my lungs. A tall, dark figure emerges in front of me, arms wide.
“Tulip! Shh, it’s me!” Apollo freezes until I realize itishim.
Then I rush into his waiting embrace. My body recognizes him before my brain even catches up. Hisscent, one of amber and wood and fire, immediately makes me melt. He smells of warmth. Comfort.
Home.
He gathers me up until my legs wrap around his waist, and he’s tossing his coat over my back. “I got you. You’re safe. Tell me they didn’t do anything?—”
“I’m okay,” I sniff. I’m not even sure why I’m crying.
Except one night without him felt like something vital had been cut off.
Who am I?
I was so independent before this man came into my life. Now? Being next to him is like breathing. Necessary for my survival.
“I’m putting you in the truck.”
Mind focused on his broad muscles beneath his button-down, I barely register what he says. In fact, I don’t want him to put me anywhere, so I cling harder.
