Page 111 of Broken Destiny

She shook her head.

“I have filled out your discharge papers, and you will be free to go soon. Take care,” the doctor said before turning and leaving, the curtain falling back into place behind him.

“Did Liam call?” Jiya asked, lowering her gaze toward her feet.

“Yes,” I replied. “I told him what happened, and he said he’ll see you at your house in the evening.”

“Okay.”

My throat tightened as words I had been holding back pressed forward.

“Jiya, I?—”

“All right, guys,” the nurse said brightly, stepping into the room and cutting me off mid-sentence. “Looks like the IV solution is done.”

She walked past me and took Jiya’s hand gently, removing the needle before placing a Band-Aid over the spot. Then she smiled warmly at her.

“You’re good to go, my dear. Take care and feel better soon.”

Carefully, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed to steady herself as she stood. Her movements were slow, and I stayed close, ready to catch her if she lost her balance.

I crouched and helped her put on her shoes, fastening the straps gently so she would not have to strain her injured arm. Then I picked up her jacket and draped it carefully around her shoulders, making sure it sat comfortably without disturbing the sling.

“Let’s get you home,” I said softly.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and called for a cab while we slowly walked toward the hospital entrance together.

I stayed close beside Jiya, carefully matching her pace as she protected her injured arm against her body.

By the time we stepped outside, a cab was already pulling up to the curb.

Walking toward it, my cell phone rang.

I glanced at the screen and saw Sophia’s name flashing.

Answering the call, I already knew the conversation would pull me back into the world I had temporarily forgotten.

“Will you be coming back anytime soon?” she asked.

“I might be a little while longer. Is everything alright?”

“Did you forget about the meeting with the Jackson clients? They were sent over by your future in-laws, so you might want to be here for that.”

“Can we postpone it?” I asked, my gaze drifting toward Jiya as she stood beside the waiting cab.

“This is the third time.” She sighed. “They might think we don’t want their business. What’s going on, Caleb?”

I did not want to lie to her, but I also could not tell her the truth.

“Nothing. I’ll be there soon.”

I ended the call and let out a slow breath, the weight of responsibility settling on my chest.

Turning toward Jiya, I began, “I’m really?—”

“Don’t worry, I can make my way home,” she said gently, reassuring me with a small smile. “You’ve done more than enough.”

Her words should have eased my conscience, but they didn’t. I wanted to take her home myself and make sure she rested and was okay.