“Especially with me knowing,” I interrupted, jumping in when I caught on to Drew’s goal of preventing Dr. Lin from telling my dad about our conversation. “It’s not the usual way, as you said, so I think it’d be best for his recovery if you, you know—”

“I get it,” Dr. Lin said with a nod. “It’s good he’s in such denial. Many Chinese people believe that the knowledge of the sickness is what gets you, even more than the actual disease. Don’t worry; I know how to best deal with that.”

He applied hand sanitizer, then gave me one more smile. “Your parents love you, Jing-Jing. Maybe try to remember that before making your public declarations in such a dramatic way? Your father’s been through enough.” He stood. “Next time you’re in town, we should check your blood pressure. And do a full workup on the baby.”

I was tempted to tell him the truth, but that suddenly felt of no importance.

As soon as the door shut behind Dr. Lin, I asked Drew, “He doesn’t know what just actually happened, right?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes, I need to know how likely it is that my parents will find out I know.” I was spinning. Focusing on weird, less important things because I couldn’t face what I’d just found out. What I’d just tricked Dr. Lin into telling me.

Drew gently sat me down on the examination table next to him. “Let’s try to process the information first before we get ahead of ourselves. But most likely, no, he doesn’t know.”

I took a deep breath and he joined me, matching my tempo. “I’m so tired,” I whispered when my heart had slowed a hair, though I could still hear the beats in my head.

“I know,” he whispered back, cradling my torso and hugging me to him. “I’m sorry about everything.”

We rocked back and forth to the rhythm of my heartbeat. Drew didn’t comment when my tears splashed against his chest, and I let them fall fall fall until nothing was left.

Drew CHAPTER 46 THREE SUNS

Once we left Dr. Lin’s office, Chloe wasn’t ready to see her parents yet. We stopped for boba tea, but she didn’t really touch hers except to stir the fat straw around.

“I should go,” I said, even though it went against everything I wanted.

Chloe looked up from her taro milk bubble tea. “Go where?” she asked, her eyes not quite there.

“Home.” I had to force the words out. “To give you time with your parents.”

“You can’t leave now!” she burst out before I finished my sentence. Then her voice grew as small as her hunched body looked. “You’re the only one on my side.”

“I’ll be on your side even if I’m not there physically. I’m just a phone call away.”