Page 37 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

“Sir, East is a very poorly young lady, and you are not permitted to upset her. Do you hear me clearly? You do not upset her in any way, shape or form, or you will be physically removed from this hospital by your toes. Understand?” she asks sternly, pointing her finger in his face.

“Nurse, I apologise, but this is the first I have heard of her being married. I am bound to be upset. We are a close family, and that man out there is supposed to be our trusted friend.”

“I get that you are clearly upset, sir, but this is not the time or place to have this conversation. If you insist, you will have to leave.”

“Fine!” North barks.

“Fine what?” she asks.

“I will not upset her, but he is not coming within a hundred feet of my sister. If he knows what’s good for him, he will get as far away as possible.”

The nurse gives him a pointed look. “Behave yourself, and if I hear any raised voices… you know what I have said.” She opens the door and closes it quietly behind her.

“North, please don’t shout or get angry. I don’t feel well enough for you to get all big brother on me right now.”

“East, I’m not angry at you. I just don’t understand how you could have been here a few days and end up married to fucking Zed O’Brien of all people.”

“Oh hell, it’s a really long story, but please, North. This is not his fault. We both were so drunk, and we didn’t even know what we were doing. We are trying to get a divorce. We never wanted anyone to find out.”

North sits in the chair by the bed and takes my hand.

“So, this marriage is not like a ‘I’m so in love with him’ type of marriage. It was a mistake?” he asks.

Hearing it from someone other than Zed makes me question if it really is a mistake and if I actually have feelings for him.

When I don’t answer immediately, North asks again, “East, do you have feelings for him?” I shake my head. Actually, saying the word ‘no’ seems heartless and cold and relatively untrue.

“Okay, so we just need to sort it out, then. Is Zed in agreement? Does he want a divorce, too?”

This, I can answer.

“Yes, we’ve been trying to get it annulled, but every time we tried, something came up and… well, we just didn’t get it sorted.”

North lets out a long sigh. “See, this is why we have protected you your whole life. You’re not ready to be alone in this world, East. Anyway, where was Chelsea when all this happened?”

“How did you know Chelsea was with me?” I question.

North fidgets, and I know he’s going to spin me some bullshit. It’s his tell. He shuffles when he is covering something up.

“Zed said.”

“I don’t think he did, North. Try again.”

He sighs and fidgets some more. “I don’t know why I thought Chelsea was with you. She’s always with you when you go to concerts.”

“Try again, North,” I say clearer.

“East, I think you need to rest. You’re getting a little excited, and maybe you’re still suffering from the anaesthetic.” He stands to leave.

“North, is Chelsea really my friend?”

“Yes, of course she is.”

“Is she on the payroll?” My heart is pounding. I can’t believe I’ve been so gullible.

“East, you need to rest.”

“Tell me now, North. Is she on the payroll?” I yell. My breath catches, and I start to cough.

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