Roman asked if I wanted him at the appointment. He did not say he was coming. That was why I said yes. The obstetrician's office was quieter than Harborview. No police. No security cutting locks. No reporters.

Just beige walls, a stack of parenting magazines, and Roman DeLuca s

Bianca wore white to the hearing. Of course she did. I wore navy scrubs. Not because I had been cleared to work. Because I wanted Harborview's board to remember what I had been before someone put cash and stolen medication in my locker. A nurse. Not a headline.

Roman sat in

The driver reached back at the next red light.

"Phone."

I held it for one second too long. His expression told me not to test him.

I put the phone in his hand.

The screen was still lit. My message to Roman showed one word beneath it. Delivered. Good.

The driver powered