ears

ony of coughing patients, ringing phones, and squeaking gu

with her stride. "The neuro consult in Room 304-they

n a severe, tight bun. No one looked at her and saw Giselle Villarreal. They saw Dr. Mandy, the phantom of the neurological wo

id, her voice crisp. "And check the spinal fluid pre

awestruck. "Right. Y

wrist. 3:00 PM. She had exactly twenty minutes be

levators, her mind already shiftin

h

and solid slamme

k, catching her bala

in a miniature, tailored navy suit that probably cost more than most people's

, pressing a fin

tarted, reaching d

red urgently. "The g

ril

Heavy voices echoed f

black suits were scanning the cr

.. Giselle froze. Those eyes. They were the

st her ribs. This was Jo

ave called the guards. But the terror in his

nough to shield him between her and a large potted fern. Sh

past them, their

He let out a dramatic sigh of relief.

her, tilting h

ked, trying to kee

" he said solemnly. "You look

. "I think you're confus

and. His fingers were small and warm. "I heard the

orrected lightly, he

gle? I need

A laugh escaped her mask.

aid, shaking his h

ile va

both." Jamin suddenly clutched his chest and

tantly, her fingers finding his

eyes at him. "You

ing. "Okay, you caught me. I'm not si

ed, the words tasting like ash.

he muttered, kicking at the floor tile. "She's mean. She just wan

her out? But the news... the tabloids

. Mandy to the ER," the

have to go, Jamin.

My daddy... he hurts. He hits his head a

ounded like neuroto

d, his eyes filling w