Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 98

(Eddie's POV) Hande's sharp voice bounced around the walls in the room. "You don't take anything seriously, Eddie! Not this plan, not us, not anything!"

I blinked at her, stunned. I had seen her angry before, but never like this. She paced back and forth in front of the bunk beds. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest and her face was flushed with frustration. "I do take it seriously," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "I just... have a different way of handling things."

She stopped and turned to me. Her eyes were blazing. "A different way? Joking about everything isn't a way of handling it, Eddie. It's avoidance. This is life or death, and you're acting like it's some kind of game."

I opened my mouth to respond but hesitated. She wasn't wrong. I had been brushing things off, cracking jokes, and making light of the situation. It was how I coped, but clearly, it wasn't working for her.

"Hande, listen," I started and stepped closer. "I know I'm not as serious as the others, but it doesn't mean I don't care. I do. I care about this plan, about getting out of here, about "I paused and swallowed hard, "about you." Her expression softened for a moment, but then she shook her head. "Then show it, Eddie. Stop hiding behind your jokes and start proving that you actually care."

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "You're right. I'll do better. I promise."

She sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed, her shoulders slumping. "I just.... I need to know that I can rely on you. This plan is too important to mess up.'

"You can rely on me," I said firmly and sat beside her. "I swear, Hande. I won't let you down."

She looked at me; her eyes were searching mine for a moment before she gave a small nod. "Okay. But no more jokes when we're planning. Deal?"

"Deal," I said with a grin, unable to resist. When she rolled her eyes, I added quickly, "I mean it. No more jokes. I'm serious now."

twitched, and she shook

love it," I said, nudging her shoulder

just a little, but I knew I had work to do to

.

(Dilara's POV)

page was blank. My mind

a broken record. The way he'd smirked at me, and his arrogance-filled voice as

him, to claw at his smug face, but I had frozen instead. My hands had trembled, and my heart was pounding so loud I thought he could hear it. I had managed to walk away, but his

the anger inside me was demanding an outlet. I couldn't let him get away with what he had done to

She took one look at me

spilled out before I could stop them. "It's Ethan. He

darkened, and she sat down

he had looked at me like I was

handle this," she said firmly. "But you can't act on impulse. We need to stick

care about the plan," I snapped. "I care about making

fight. Don't let him win by breaking you." I swallowed hard as her words were sinking in. She was right, but it didn't make the anger go away. "He's connected to all of this," I said quietly. "To the center, to Dr. Joe. He's not just some random guy

nodded. "I know, but acting impulsively may spoil your revenge plan before it's even

just a predator; he was part of the center's network, tied to its dark operations. His father was an