Zurianne never imagined that saving her mother's life would cost her own freedom. Forced into an arranged marriage with Christopher Whyte the infamous Jamaican Don feared by many,she braces herself for a life of cold stares and ruthless commands. Bu...
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The first thing I saw when I stepped into Paige's hospital room wasn't the bouquet of wilting lilies on the side table, or the soft hum of the air conditioner. It was her face. Her eyes were red and glistening, her bottom lip trembling just before she pressed it between her teeth. She turned her head quickly, wiping at her cheeks as if I didn't see.
But I did.
"Paige... a wah dat? Why yuh face look so?" I asked, my voice soft but weighted with worry as I closed the door behind me.
She shook her head quickly, still looking away. "Nutten, Zuri. Mi jus' tired."
I crossed the room, pulling the chair beside her bed. "Yuh tired... an' a cry same time? Talk di truth."
For a moment, she didn't answer. Her fingers twisted the edge of the bedsheet, knuckles pale against the fabric. Then she exhaled shakily. "Mi... mi lose di baby, Zuri."
The words hung between us like a heavy curtain. My heart dropped, a sharp ache blooming in my chest.
She swallowed hard before continuing, her voice breaking. "An'... di doctors... di way dem treat mi... like mi a some careless gyal weh nuh deserve no sympathy. Jus' because dem see inna mi file seh mi did terminate one... back when mi deh a school. Dem nuh even know mi story... dem nuh ask... dem jus' look pon mi like mi bring dis pon meself."
I sat there for a moment, letting her words sink in. The quiet hum of hospital machines seemed to grow louder, pressing on my ears. I had seen Paige hurt before, but this... this was different.
Her eyes were glassy, cheeks blotched from crying, and yet she tried to put on a brave face.
My chest burned.
"Dem really do dat to yuh?" I asked, voice low but sharp.
She nodded, biting her lip like she was ashamed of something that wasn't even her fault. "Dem nuh even keep dem voice low... yuh know? Nurse jus' read up mi file loud-loud like mi nuh even deh in di room. Ask mi why mi even try fi have pickney after mi mek certain choice when mi young."
I clenched my jaw, a hot rush of anger flashing through me. "Dem cyaah talk to people so... mi swear, if mi see one a dem nurse or doctor—" I started rising from my seat.
"Zuri," she said quickly, her hand reaching for mine, grip trembling but firm. "Please nuh do nutten. Mi cyaah tek no more drama right now."
"Paige, mi nah joke, mi walk straight outta dis room, find dem, an' tell dem exactly who dem a talk to. Privacy nuh optional. Dem fi respect yuh!" My voice was rising before I even realized it.
She shook her head, a pleading look in her eyes. "Zuri, mi beg yuh... leave it. Please. Mi jus' waan get better an' go home."
I took a long breath through my nose, forcing myself back into the chair. My hand was still balled into a fist, knuckles white, but I loosened it and rested it over hers. "Fine... mi ago leave it... but dem lucky mi respect yuh more than mi temper."
