"I can't marry you, Karen. I don't even know who you are." Damien stately as I exited the bathroom. The room seemed like there had been a heated argument while I was away. I handed the gentleman his phone, bending my knees to say thank you. he bowed and left.
"You must if you want Paige out of prison. It's simple, isn't it? Marry me and save the one you love."
I could feel Damien's pain from his look. How come he is always getting into this kind of trouble? I could only pity him, but I knew I had to be quiet.
"Kamila, did you hear what she just said. Is there no other way we can defend Paige and get her out of that place?"
"Unfortunately..." I shook my head, fixing a glare at Karen. The young woman has made up her mind.
"You make your choice."Karen got her plate of food and focused on it. Damien walked towards the door. I had to stop him.
"Damien, please, don't go out. You'll implicate all of us..."
"I don't care. I prefer..."
"No, don't be irrational. I've called my husband, and they're coming to take us. We'll soon be in a safe place. Just calm down," he shook his head and slumped onto the bed. I also could not eat. I just prayed that God did a miracle while a part of me longed for my husband's arms.
This is yours, God, help us.
***
Kamila's POV
Albany, Police Headquarters
Seeing Kyle again was one thing, and then the latest development concerning Paige's case gave life a very fascinating look to me. I was over elated and I wished I could share my joy with my friend, Karen, and Damien, but now their frowns remain like icebergs on their faces. I took time on the plane to rehearse what Karen had said. She seemed like someone who had given up on life, and it's obvious she likes Damien and does want to let go. But how can you force a man to marry you and still enjoy the marriage? Nonetheless, we must help Paige out of prison, and we have a very short time because she has been sentenced to death already. I started the process of appealing her way with Kyle's laptop after hearing the good news that Annabel was in our home. Everything would have been so perfect if Karen hadn't brought marriage into it. So Paige wasn't a psycho after all. I thought talking to Karen would help, so I went to her before leaving with Kyle.
"Karen, please, that guy has been through a lot already. Can you just..."
"But he'd have died anyway if I didn't show up. Why are y'all not seeing this my way?" she was almost shouting.
"Karen, calm down." I led her to a seat. "This is like the climax of our lives. You expose Brianne, and the police are on their way to his camp. Soon you'll be free from him, and in no time you'll find a man who will love you for who you are. Would you allow Paige her freedom, too? She's been in prison and is at the risk of dying for a sin she did not commit. We need that voice note to spell this out to the court."
"What if I did not record it the day I overheard that conversation? What if I never showed up in Brianne's prison? Y'all would have been in your graves? I'm not asking for much, okay?"
I was speechless. There was nothing I could say to her to change her mind.
She left the table before I could think. Kyle replaced her with a funny smirk on his brow. "Funny, huh?"
I laughed. The way he said it, or just the feeling of being able to see him again. God, I love this man. I don't know how this would turn out. "
"God's way, I suppose."
"Hm." I tried to believe." I need to go see Paige."
"Are you sure Hope sent you to me?" It took time before I realized he was mimicking her. I laughed.
"You went to see her?"
"Yes, I was looking for my wife. I had to know where she sent you."
"Did she tell you her mum's whereabouts?"
"No, I found that in your diary?"
"What?" I almost stoned him with my purse.
"Don't worry, it's our little secret..." He winked. To think that I had all my rubbish ideologies about him written in that book. What? I covered my face in embarrassment.
"It's not that bad. I will never mention it. I promise." He crossed his fingers playfully across my face. I laughed.
"You can go home with me, but they have to stay here till the police are sure they'll be safe. Can we go home now?"
"I can't wait to see Annabel Steele!" I jumped off my seat.
***
Damien walked up to a corp whom he had seen giving orders. He believed He should be a head and be abreast of enough information concerning the case. IN his frustrated state, all he wished to know was that he had enough time to fish out evidence that would vindicate Paige by himself and not have to rely on Karen. And talking about time, they had to be very careful to find evidence on the day of the sentence.
"Ehm, Sir, can I see you for a moment?"
"I'm so sorry, you both will have to stay with us at the station tonight. As we speak, being out there might not be too safe for you..." The policeman said.
"No, no, it's okay. I wanted to ask about the Paige Kam case. Lawyer Kamila was kidnapped."
"Okay, what about it?"
"I heard Paige had been sentenced to death. Is it possible to know the day they would do this?
"Usually..." he went on. " it's within a week for the lucky ones. Once the government signs, they are executed almost immediately. Some within three days..."
"What?!"
"Yes, it can be that fast, and it can also take time for others, depending on how quickly their paper gets to the table of the commissioner,"
"Oh my God."
"Wait, did you say Paige Kam case?" He asked as if just realizing.
"Yes"
"Her execution is next tomorrow. We were alerted this morning that..."
"What?!" This time it was an outburst. He was shaking. "Ehm, I need a phone. Your phone. I need to call Kamila now, please."
"Are you okay?"
"She is innocent. We have proof!" He slammed his words on his face.
"Wow. I'll call her husband for you."
He jabbed the phone from his hands and ran back to the room where Karen was. Paige must not die.