Chapter 54 · Clinic Doctor On Record

"Dr. Reyes doesn't see walk-ins." The receptionist plants herself in the doorway, arms crossed, like she practiced that line in a mirror.

"Tell him Rosa Santos's daughter is standing in his waiting room." I don't move. "Tell him that part first."

Her eyes flick past me to Jae Min, and something in her face folds. She doesn't like that he's here either. Good. Neither do I, most days.

"There's already someone with him," she says. "A lawyer. From Manila."

Jae Min's jaw goes tight. "Corazon's."

"I didn't ask a name."

"You didn't have to." He steps around the desk before she can stop him, and I'm right behind, my sandals slapping the tile too loud in a clinic that smells like rubbing alcohol and cheap air freshener. Iloilo humidity clings to my shirt even inside. My hands are shaking and I hate that they're shaking.

The door to the exam room is half open.