Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 89

(Angel's

POV)

The fluorescent lights in the hallway buzzed faintly as I walked past the administrative wing of the center. It wasn't a place patients were supposed to be, but I'd learned how to avoid prying eyes. I wasn't looking for trouble this time. I just needed air, space, anything to quiet the noise in my head.

That's when I heard it.

I paused mid-step, and my ears pricked at the sound of voices drifting from an open door. It wasn't loud, but it was enough to make me freeze. I recognized one of the voices immediately-pompous, commanding, unmistakable. Dr. Joe. "...and the inspections?" he asked in a calm but clipped tone, like he didn't have time for nonsense.

The other voice made my breath hitch. My mom. Dennis.

"Dr. Aurora told me it's been decided it's scheduled for next week," she replied sharply. She sounded so...professional. "But you need to understand, these aren't routine checks. They're coming to evaluate everything-your treatments, your financial records, even the patients."

I leaned closer to the slightly ajar door, careful not to make a sound. My heart pounded in my chest as I strained to hear.

Dr. Joe chuckled softly but it was devoid of humor. "You sound nervous, Dennis."

"Shouldn't I be?" she shot back, sounding uncomfortable and frustrated. "If they find any discrepancies, it won't just be my name on the line."

There was a pause. I could almost picture Dr. Joe leaning back in his chair with that smug smirk on his face.

"You worry too much," he said finally. "Everything is under control."

out of control...out of your hands. Patients are getting restless, staff

Dr. Joe prompted

hesitated. "And Angel is still

My blood ran cold.

like he was savoring

"She's more than that. She's stubborn and reckless. If she gets too close

"She's just another patient, Dennis. One of

patronize me, Joe," Dennis snapped. "You know why I agreed to this. Why I sent

cold and slienced her protest. "You don't need to remind me of our arrangement.

arrangement? Why was my mom talking to Dr. Joe like this? And why did it sound

through," she said suddenly as her

that followed

me," Dr. Joe said finally; his tone was softer but no less menacing. "Focus on the inspection. And Dennis?" "Yes?"

"Remember who's in charge."

.

(Dennis's POV)

call and set the phone down. My hands were still trembling slightly. I clenched them into fists to steady myself, but

felt too small and suffocating. I walked to the window and stared out, imagining it as the center's perfectly manicured lawn.

face of someone who had made too many compromises. Someone

her hot spirit, her ever growing determination. She reminded me too much of myself, and that terrified me. That place had a way of breaking people

and Aurora held over me, over all of us. But most of all, I hated the part of me that had allowed it. The part that had made the deal

day I first set foot in that center. I had been desperate, broken, and he had