Chapter 264
Monica was silent.
The locker room hummed with the sound of fluorescent lights. Somewhere down the hall, a nurse called out for assistance. The world kept moving.
"Monica," I said quietly, "I didn't come here to take anything from you. Not your father. Not your family. Not your place."
"Then what are you doing?" Her voice cracked. "Why are you here?"
"Because I have patients. Because I made a promise to help people. Because no matter what happens outside these walls, when I'm here, I'm a doctor."
She stared at me. I had no idea there was something deeper behind her anger. Something more than loyalty to Minerva. Something more than family pride.
Her lips pressed together. Her jaw trembled.
"You think I'm angry about my mother?" Her voice cracked. "You think I'm defending her?"
"I don't know what to think, Monica. That's why I'm asking."
