Blanche's POV
I stepped out of the stairwell first, with Zain right behind me.
We walked toward Joanna's hospital room together.
Zain stayed close, matching my pace as we moved down the hallway.
When we reached the door, I stopped. I couldn't bring myself to go inside.
I just stood there in the doorway, waiting.
Zain noticed my hesitation but didn't push me to enter.
——
Zain's POV
I walked into the room and checked on Joanna. She was fast asleep. I turned to Carry and said, "Carry, time to go home."
Carry's eyes went wide with panic. "No! I don't want to leave! I'm staying with Miss Joanna!"
Her distress made me soften my tone. "Listen, Carry. I'll have Cherry come stay with Miss Joanna, alright?"
She turned her face away stubbornly. "No! I'm not going anywhere. I want to look after Miss Joanna myself."
My expression hardened. I kept my voice low but firm. "I'm asking you one final time—are you coming home or not?"
"I'm not going home," she shot back.
