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.

she sneered. "And she

"We don't have

to me with contempt. "You know, I always thought you were pathetic, Angel. But this? Messing around with your

but I do," she said and stepped closer. "Everyone does. And now, they're finally seeing you for

shook.

spreading across her face. "You gonna run to your brother for protection?" "I'm warning

cold and cruel. "You're in no position to warn anyone, Angel. You're just a joke. And guess what? Everyone's

blood rushing to my face, the humiliation burning hotter and

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

echoed through the hallway. "You don't know anything

with

dare because it's the truth!" I yelled back as tears blurred

knew it, Ava lunged at me and grabbed my hair with a force that made my

hesitate. She threw herself at Ava and pulled her away from me. "Get

anger. She was saying something, something vile and ugly, but

I glanced

is going on here?" she

free and shoved Ava away. I didn't wait to

until I reached the lounge. I stumbled inside and needed a moment to breathe and think. But instead, I crashed into someone's

said and steadied me. His face softened when he saw my

but he wouldn't let me. "Hey, it's okay,"

say anything. He just held me tighter and ran a hand through my hair. "Shh," he whispered.

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

and for the first time in a long while,

my skin. "You deserve someone who sees you," he murmured as