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“How does Bryce know who my parents are?” I asked instead, recalling his words and their reaction. Did everyone think I was stupid? “How would they know who he is?”

She seemed about to respond, but a commotion from the hallway broke into the moment. Dr. Reed shot to her feet and was halfway to the door when it slammed opened.

Julian strode into the room without a word, his aura sharp and dangerous. His gaze instantly landed on me, and as our eyes met, the skies cleared. I could breathe again. I wasn’t sure how he had found me, or even why he was here. But I was so grateful.

He would take care of everything.

A nurse stumbled into the room after Julian, reaching for him. But Julian dodged him easily and pushed past Dr. Reed. He was beside me in an instant.

“Bianca…” His voice was soft as his fingers trailed over my cheek. “I…”

The nurse cringed at Dr. Reed. “I’m sorry, I—”

“Don’t bother.” Dr. Reed waved her hand dismissively at the nurse, who, without another word, left the room. Her focus was entirely on the two of us, and I didn’t miss the way her frown deepened as her gaze lingered on his hand. But even more surprising than that was the next exchange.

“What are you doing here, Julian?” Dr. Reed sounded as if she was forcing herself to be patient.

Julian stiffened beside me, turning to narrow his eyes at her. “The same could be asked of you, Mother.”

Shock raced through me, and the stare down between them deepened—rife with tension. A long moment passed, and finally, I couldn’t hold back my question any longer.

I looked at Julian—I could barely hear over the thundering in my ears. “M-m-mother?” Dr. Reed was his mother? I didn’t understand. What was going on?

“Yes.” His tone was regretful, and his attention returned to me. “I didn’t realize until you gave us your medication… I’m sorry. Really, I had no idea. I would never—”

“Julian had no idea of your existence. I’ve still not heard how you met though.” Dr. Reed sighed, returning to her chair. “And Julian, Bianca is my patient, and we are in a medical setting. You don’t even have clearance to be in this room.”

“You can’t make me leave.” His voice was low. “I have every right to stay with her, no matter what you think. She is my—”

“Unfortunately, the law doesn’t take that into consideration.” Dr. Reed leaned back in the chair. “And there are things that I need to discuss with Bianca. Private things regarding her health. Go wait for me in my office.”

“N-n-no!” He couldn’t leave! His presence was the only thing keeping me from the darkness.

I pulled his hand to my chest, and Julian turned to me in alarm. “I want him to stay! P-p-please, don’t make him leave. I’ll give my permission. I don’t care if he’s here.”

“Bianca,” Dr. Reed said, patience threaded throughout her voice, “we’re going to discuss your medical history. Are you certain that you want him here?”

My heart skipped, realization buzzing through my awareness.

The fear of being alone was suffocating, especially with comfort so close at hand.

“Stay…” I tightened my hold on his hand, but he didn’t complain. “Please.”

Julian’s expression morphed from a worried mask to professional in an instant. His focus shot back to his mother, and there was a tone of a command in his voice when he spoke. “What’s going on? Let me help.”

“Bianca has no right to make major treatment decisions, so keep that in mind.” She straightened in her seat. “If you want any of your suggestions to count for something with her parents, you’ll need to be present as more than a friend. They’re wary of you.”

Julian blinked at her. “Mother?”

“I know how you are,” she said, determination setting into her expression. “And I know that you know who she is. You’ll meddle, anyway, so why not use your enthusiasm for something? I’ll take you on as my temporary intern. Youareat that stage in your training. But there will be things in her records that you won’t be able to access, at least not now. And if Bianca doesn’t want to discuss something with you, then you are not to press it. In the end, she is my patient.”

This was happening so fast, and now he was going to be my doctor? I hadn’t agreed to this.

My grip on his hand loosened as the fear turned my blood to ice.

There were things Juliancouldn’tknow about me. Things I never wanted anyone to know. What if he found out?

This was a terrible idea. I just didn’t want to be alone.