Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 92

(Bundah's POV)

Charlotte's laugh was soft, like the flutter of bird wings. It wasn't often I heard it, but when I did, it made everything in this hellhole feel a little less grim. She was sitting across from me in the built-in library. Her lips were tugged into a small smile as she tried to read aloud from one of the French-English books we'd borrowed. Her accent still tripped over certain words, and each time she stumbled, she'd giggle nervously and glance at me for reassurance. "You're getting better," I said as I leaned back in the rickety chair. "By next week, you'll be speaking English better than I do."

She gave me a disbelieving look and shook her head. "You're lying, Bundah," her broken English was charming. "But thank you for... how you say... the hope?"

"The compliment," I corrected with a grin. "And it's not a lie."

Her cheeks flushed, and she returned her focus to the book, but the moment of peace was short-lived. I noticed a group of guys lingering by the entrance, whispering and glancing our way. Their eyes were judgmental. I didn't like it. I'd overheard the rumors they'd been spreading about Charlotte-how she'd ended up at the center by mistake, how she didn't belong here, and worse, how she was an easy target because of her vulnerability.

"Stay here," I said abruptly and stood. Charlotte looked up, startled.

"Bundah? What are you doing?"

"Just keep reading," I said and forced a smile before striding toward the group.

They straightened as I approached and their smirks faded. "Got something to say?" I asked in a deceptively calm tone.

One of them, a tall guy with a sneer permanently lined on his face, shrugged. "Just talking, man. Relax."

"Yeah? Talking about what?" I took a step closer. "Because if it's about Charlotte, you better stop now."

The sneer faltered, but he recovered quickly. "Why do you care? She's not your girl."

"No, she's not," I said as my fists clenched at my sides. "But she's under my protection, and if I hear you or anyone else spreading crap about her again, we're gonna have a problem. Got it?"

They exchanged uneasy glances before muttering something and walking away. I didn't move until they were out of sight. My chest was heaving with barely contained anger. When I turned back to Charlotte, she was watching me with wide eyes.

"You... you didn't have to do that," she said softly as I returned to the table.

"Yes, I did," I replied, sitting down. "No one's gonna mess with you while I'm around."

Her smile was faint, but it was there. "Thank you, Bundah."

I said,

•

(Dilara's POV)

been walking alone. That much was obvious the moment I turned the corner and saw him leaning against

his gaze swept over me as if enjoying the view

instinctively backed up, only to hit the cold wall behind me. "What do you think I want?" he said mockingly.

hitched, and a wave of nausea rolled through me. "You're disgusting," I spat and tried to summon some

skin crawl. "Oh, Dilara. You've always been good at playing the victim. But we both know the

instantly paralyzed me. Before I could think, I shoved him with all my strength, making

he was going to retaliate. But then, footsteps echoed down the hallway, and he stepped back as his lips curled into a sneer. "This isn't over," he said before disappearing around the

my breath. The

rest were asleep. My hands were clutching the edge of the blanket like it was the only thing grounding me. Angel sat across from me, her knees drawn up to her chest, watching me with those empathetic eyes of hers, the ones that made it impossible not to spill every secret you'd

felt like a poisonous fruit lodged in my throat for so long I didn't know how to

to," Angel said softly. "I'm

year ago. I was at this party with a group of friends. It wasn't anything wild-just some people from my art class, hanging out, drinking a little. I

tilted her head

He started talking to me, making these.... comments about my art, about my body, about how I 'stood out.' At first, I thought he was just drunk and annoying, but then he wouldn't leave

thought if I got outside, I could

face hardened, and her lips pressed into a thin line. "What did

tried to push him away, to scream, but he was so much stronger. He covered my mouth and... and..." My voice broke, and I felt tears streaming down my

rested hand on mine. "You don't have to say it all if it's too much,"

and wiped at my tears. "I need to. He assaulted me, Angel. Right there in the backyard, while everyone else was inside, laughing and drinking. And no one came. No one heard me. By the time I got away, it was too late." I closed my eyes as I felt the shame and anger burning me from the inside. "I didn't tell anyone for weeks. I thought it was my fault. That maybe I'd done something to lead him on. But then... I found out I'd contracted

Her eyes widened with shock. "Oh

parents didn't believe me when I finally told them," I said bitterly. "They said I was making excuses, that I was being dramatic. They shipped me off here, thinking this place would 'fix' me. Like I was the problem." I laughed humorlessly and shook my head. "But the worst part? He's here too. Walking these same halls,

that. None of it. And he sure as hell doesn't deserve to get

him to feel what I felt, Angel. I want him to hurt the way

was resolute. "He definitely will. We'll make

time, I felt like maybe,

I stared at my lap. Angel was patiently sitting there with an expression that was

why I kept sneaking off to