CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE NURSE WHO STAYED.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

  The first thing Jasmine heard was the steady rhythm of the monitor. It was a small sound, almost insignificant beneath the movement of the medical team, but she had learned never to ignore it. A monitor could sound calm while a patient’s condition quietly deteriorated. It could also become the only proof that a life was still holding on.

  Dr. Lawson stood at the side of the bed in the higher dependency unit, reviewing the results from the emergency intervention.

 “His breathing has improved,” he said. “But he is not out of danger.”

“His oxygen Saturation is holding at 74,” Emily reported.

“Continue oxygen administration,” Dr. Lawson instructed. 

“Yes Dr.” Emily replied nodding her head.

Some minutes passed and Dr Richard had finished making sure there were no complications but the patient hasn't been handed over properly.

“And where is Nurse Jasmine?” Dr Richard asked looking round the room.

“I'm here Sir,” Jasmine said walking in swiftly from the entrance of the room.

“Get the reports ready for the completing the transfer,” Dr Lawson added with eyes still fixed on the chart he was reading.

Jasmine checked Harrison’s identification band, medication chart, intravenous fluids, oxygen delivery, and vital signs. She confirmed each detail before adding to the reports she already made for the transfer.

The receiving nurses were waiting.The transfer happened quickly. Harrison was connected to another monitor, his oxygen supply was checked, and his chart was handed over to the senior nurse.

“Patient Harrison Cole,” Jasmine began. “Post-traumatic respiratory arrest. Pulse present during the arrest. Bag-valve-mask ventilation commenced immediately with oxygen and suction support. Breathing improved before Dr. Lawson arrived. Current oxygen saturation ninety-five percent on supplemental oxygen. Pulse one hundred and eight. Blood pressure ninety-eight over sixty-four. He remains weak and requires close monitoring.”

The receiving nurse listened carefully.

“Any allergies?”

“None documented.”

“Current medications?”

“Everything is recorded.”

The nurse looked at her. “Are you staying with him?”

Jasmine glanced toward Dr. Lawson.

Before she could answer, he spoke.

“She is assigned to his care.”

The receiving nurse raised an eyebrow. “For this unit?”

“For his care,” Dr. Lawson repeated. “Day and evening shifts. Night coverage will be assigned separately.”

Jasmine felt the weight of the statement settle over her. She had expected the emergency to change things. She had expected administration to replace her after what had happened. Instead, Dr. Lawson had confirmed the assignment.Harrison was still hers to care for.

Not because she wanted the responsibility,Not because she enjoyed being near him. But because the hospital had decided that she was the nurse best suited to manage him.

The receiving nurse nodded. “Understood.”

Jasmine stepped closer to the bed and checked Harrison’s IV line.

His eyes opened again. This time, he was more awake.

His gaze moved from the nurse to Dr. Lawson, then back to Jasmine.

“Where am I?” he asked.

“Higher-dependency care,” Jasmine replied. “You had difficulty breathing.”

His expression hardened.

“I know what happened.”

“Then you know you need to remain calm.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

The receiving nurse glanced at Jasmine, startled by the immediate hostility.

Jasmine did not react.

“Your oxygen level dropped dangerously,” she said. “You stopped breathing effectively. We assisted your breathing and stabilized you.”

Harrison’s eyes narrowed.

“We?”

“Yes.”

“Did you?”

The question was quiet, but it carried the same arrogance he'd displayed since admission.

Jasmine looked at him without blinking.

“I did my job.”

Then Harrison’s eyes shifted toward Dr. Lawson.

“Get everyone out.”

Dr. Lawson checked the monitor.

“You are not in a position to give orders.”

Harrison’s nostrils flared.

“I said…”

“You nearly died,” Dr. Lawson interrupted. “You are now in a monitored unit because your condition is unstable. You will follow instructions, whether you like them or not.”

Harrison stared at him.

Jasmine eyes were fixed on the monitor as though the argument had nothing to do with her.

Dr. Lawson turned toward her.

“Stay with him until the evening nurse takes over.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“And Jasmine?”

She looked up.

“Do not allow him to remove anything without medical instruction.”

Harrison gave a humorless laugh.

“I’m not a child.”

“No,” Dr. Lawson replied. “Children are usually easier to manage.”

Emily lowered her head, hiding a smile.

Harrison’s glare moved toward her. The smile vanished immediately and Dr. Lawson left the room while the door closed behind him. For a few seconds, the room became quiet again. Jasmine adjusted Harrison’s bed, checked his blood pressure, and recorded the latest observations. Emily remained nearby, arranging supplies and checking the emergency equipment.

Harrison watched Jasmine.

“You seem comfortable giving orders.”

“I am comfortable giving necessary instructions.”

“You nearly suffocated me with that mask.”

“You were not breathing properly.”

“And your solution was to cover my face?”

“My solution was to keep you alive.”

His eyes remained on her. There was no gratitude in his expression but only irritation that she has witnessed him in a weakened state.

Jasmine had seen that look before. Some wealthy people believed illness was an insult. They could tolerate pain better than they could tolerate helplessness and Harrison Cole seemed to belong to that category.

“You should rest,” she told him.

“I don’t take orders from anyone.”

“You already did.”

His eyes sharpened.

“When you weren't breathing," Jasmine finished, a smile curving her lips.

Emily turned away, pretending to examine the medication tray. Harrison’s jaw tightened while Jasmine finished writing in the chart.

“Your breathing is still weak. You may feel chest tightness, dizziness, or confusion. If you experience any of those symptoms, tell me immediately.”

“I know what symptoms feel like,” Harrison said.

“Then report them when they occur,” Jasmine replied.

“Your evening nurse will take over later. Until then, you will see me.” Jasmine added not looking at him.

His eyes returned to her.

“That sounds like a threat.”

“It is a schedule," she said, immediately standing up.

She walked toward the medication counter to help Emily finish up with what she was doing. Behind her, Harrison remained silent. But his eyes followed her reflection in the glass cabinet.

Since his admission, he just understood something clearly. Jasmine Carter was not afraid of him. She was not impressed by his name. She did not care about his money, his company, or the number of guards stationed outside his room.

And worse than all of that, she had saved his life without asking for anything in return. Harrison hated the feeling that left behind.

Across the room, Jasmine checked the clock. Her shift was almost over. The thought should have brought relief. Instead, it sent a chill down her spine.