Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 52

(Angel's POV)

I scrubbed my laundry and my mind was a million miles away. The sharp scent of detergent stung my nose but it was the least of my worries. Hande was beside me and she was chatting about something, but I wasn't really listening. My mind was lost in the chaos of everything that had been happening lately.

I felt eyes on me like tiny needles pricking my skin. I glanced around and caught a few of the girls quickly looking away. Their murmurs were getting louder and harder to ignore. They weren't even trying to be discreet anymore. "Did you hear? She's been sneaking around with her stepbrother. Can you imagine?" one girl muttered, and her voice was just loud enough for me to catch. My stomach twisted.

"Hey, Angel," Hande nudged me. "Ignore them, okay?"

I nodded, but it wasn't that easy. The whispers grew sharper and crueler.

"Seriously? And she acts all innocent!"

"I heard they're really close. It's disgusting."

"Enough!" Hande's voice cut through the noise, clear and sharp. "Mind your business! You don't know anything about her."

A girl with frizzy hair scoffed and stepped forward. "Why are you defending her? Maybe you're in on it too."

Hande took a step closer and squared her shoulders. "Say that again. I dare you."

The tension in the room thickened and I felt like I was going to be sick. "Let's just go," I whispered and pulled Hande back. "Please, let's just leave." "But Angel-"

"Please," I begged and my voice cracked. Hande finally gave in and let me drag her away.

We barely made it into the hallway when we ran straight into Ava. Her smirk told me everything I needed to know.

it is," she sneered. "And she brought her little

snapped. "We don't

eyes flicked to me with contempt. "You know, I always thought you were pathetic, Angel. But this? Messing around with your own brother? That's low, even for you." My heart stopped. "You don't know anything

but I do," she said and stepped closer. "Everyone does. And now,

hands shook. "Leave

with a nasty grin spreading across her face. "You gonna run to your brother for

"You're in no position to warn anyone, Angel. You're just

felt the blood rushing to my face, the humiliation burning hotter and

laughter was cold and mocking. "Poor little Angel, always hiding behind someone else." Her expression turned malicious. "You should've seen the way Hendrix looked at me last night. Maybe if you weren't so pathetic, he'd be looking

know anything about us!" I yelled and my chest heaved with anger. "You're just jealous because you've

looked stunned. Then her expression twisted with rage and her eyes

the truth!" I yelled back as tears blurred

a force that made

Ava and pulled her away from me. "Get off her,

Ava's face twisted with anger. She was saying something, something vile and

voice shouted, and suddenly, the chaos paused. I glanced up,

is going on

took the chance to wrench myself free and shoved Ava away. I didn't wait to hear her

running until I reached the lounge. I stumbled inside and needed a moment

His face softened when he

tried to pull away but he wouldn't let me. "Hey, it's okay," he murmured softly. "You're safe. I've got

that, everything fell apart. I crumbled against him and sobbed uncontrollably. He didn't say anything. He just held me tighter and ran a hand through my hair. "Shh," he whispered. "It's going to

breath came in shaky gasps. Thomas pulled back slightly and used his

first time

on my skin.