Page 36 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

“Before you start shouting and bawling at me, this was an accident,” I start.

“What the hell happened? Is she okay?”

“West, I’m sorry, but the surgery on her arm had complications, and she’s in the Intensive Care Unit. North is with her now.”

“What the hell are you talking about? It was a broken fucking arm. How can there be complications?”

“It was something to do with the anaesthetic. She had a reaction or something. I don’t know. I can’t remember everything the doctor said,” I lie. I can’t tell him her heart stopped. Not over the phone.

“Give me the name of the doctor and get me his number. I want to speak to him now!” he yells. I don’t blame him one bit.

“Hang on and talk to Kara while I go and ask for it.” I hand the phone over to Kara and walk back to the desk and get the information.

Kara rolls her eyes as she hands me back the phone. I can tell West has been giving her a hard time, too.

“I’ll text you the details of the doctor. I need to go, West. I need to go.” I hang up. I can’t spend another second lying to my best friend.

What the hell have I done? I have ruined all our lives. They are never going to forgive me for this.

Chapter 15

East

Mymouthisdry,and my lips feel funny as I try to open my eyes. I can hear bleeping, and then I remember that I’m in the hospital and my arm has been operated on. Thankfully, it doesn’t feel too bad.

As I open my eyes, I can’t quite work it out. I swear that is North standing in the corner of the room looking out of the window.

No, it can’t be.

It really can’t be. Why would North be here?

Shit, it is.

North turns to face me as I start to wake up a little more, and as my vision clears, his deep voice whispers, “Hey, Lil Sis, you lie still, okay? I’ll go and call for the nurse. Everything is going to be okay.” He darts from the room before I can even ask him what he means.

The nurse comes in and starts pressing buttons and moving pads on my chest. North follows behind with a kind smile. He always makes me feel safe and warm, but I’m still confused as to why he’s here.

“Why am I hooked up to all these machines?” I ask, completely flummoxed. “It’s a bit much for a broken arm.”

“I’ll just go and tell your husband you’re awake.”

Norths face turns from a happy smile to one of pure fury.

“Your fucking what?” he yells.

“I’m sorry, sir, but if you’re going to yell, you will do it outside of this hospital.”

“What did you say?”

“I said I was going to tell East’s husband that she is awake.”

“Your fucking husband?” he yells at me.

“North, it’s not what you think.”

“Really? Well, he’s either your husband or he’s not. Which one is it?”

I nod my head. I can’t look him in the eye.

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