Page 43 of Whispers of Wisteria

“Just let it go.” Julian crossed his arms, moving between us.

I peeked around Julian’s arm.

“Just get comfortable,” she told me, no longer looking at the two men. “And if you needanything, ask for me: my name is Catalina.” She pointed at her nametag—a bright white rectangle against her hot pink scrubs. “Just make sure you don’t let their status intimidate you. In somespaces, that sort of thing doesn’t matter.Someof us still take our day jobs seriously.”

My heart beat wildly, but she’d already slipped from the room and closed the door by the time I thought of a response.

Instead, I looked to Julian, who was still watching the door.

“What did she mean?”

“She probably thinks we’re pressuring you to let us stay.” Julian shrugged. “And that we have no business being here.”

“Technically,we don’t,” Titus pointed out. “But that’s how Catalina is. I’m sure she suspects. Did you see the way she was looking at her?”

“Miles should talk to her about Bianca soon. She’ll figure it out eventually,” Julian replied. “She won’t let up if she thinks we’re hurting her.”

“What’s that?” My pulse raced. Why would she think they were hurting me?

“What you see here is a nurse—and a witch—actuallydoing their job,” Titus answered. “She’s also not easily intimidated. It’s a good trait; she’s clearly on your side, even if it means questioning us.”

But why? “Is there a reason she’s not scared of you?”

“She’s an Officer. Her name is Catalina Garcia, and she’s Miles’s Tongjun,” Julian explained, leading me to the seat. “She’s ambitious but quiet.”

Tongjun…

I sat down and dangled my feet over the edge of the chair.

Jiayi had mentioned her once. She’d said Catalina was too softhearted to get involved in her and Xavier’s questionable research.

But she didn’t seem timid. Although, to be fair, Jiayi and Xavier’s affinity for human-skin-bound books written in blood ink might break some highly regarded medical ethics.

But she and Ada marked the last of the Tongjun quintet. I’d already known Du Yun, even though I’d been avoiding him, and then there was Xavier and Jiayi.

The door opened and Dr. Kohler entered the room.

“I came as soon as I heard,” she stated, coming directly to me. “What’s going on? It must be important for you not to want to wait for your appointment.”

“I—I…” My words faded as my throat closed. I touched my fingers together and stared at a discolored portion of the tile floor.

This was it—it didn’t matter that Julian and Titus were in the room. What I felt was beyond embarrassment. I didn’t even want to be here, but…

Like I’d told Titus once, Iwasafraid that something might be seriously wrong with me.

It wouldn’t be so bad, so long as there was no exam.

“It really hurts,” I admitted, my voice a near-whisper.

There was a pause before Dr. Kohler finally asked, “What hurts? Yourhusbandonly says you fainted.”

Stupid Bryce. If he was going to drag me here, he could have at least been specific.

My thoughts halted. This time, I pulled myself out of my tangent and took a low breath, trying to focus.

She was waiting but I had no idea where to begin.

“Mother,” Julian’s calm voice washed over me, smoothing the edges of my nerves. “When did you and Bianca last discuss reproductive health?”