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."

I'm standing, it looks like things are getting out of control...out of your hands.

Joe

is still

My blood ran cold.

Joe said, drawing out the words like he was savoring them.

She's stubborn and

patient, Dennis.

Dennis snapped. "You know why I agreed to this.

her protest. "You don't need

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

don't want her to go through what I went through," she said

that

was softer but no less menacing. "Focus on the inspection. And Dennis?" "Yes?"

"Remember who's in charge."

.

(Dennis's POV)

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

the window and stared out, imagining it as the center's perfectly manicured lawn. It looked so peaceful, so deceivingly normal. But I knew

unshaken. The face of someone who had made too many compromises. Someone who had traded her

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

But most of all, I hated the part of me that had allowed it. The part that had made the deal in the first

in that center. I had