Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 100

(Angel's POV)

I found Hendrix in the gym, his back turned to the door as he punched the heavy bag with relentless force. Each thud echoed in the empty space, matching the pounding in my chest. For weeks, I had tried to reach him, to understand him, but every attempt had been met with silence, cold shoulders, and now with this anger he wore like armor.

"Hendrix," I called. My voice was firm but shaking slightly.

He didn't respond. His fists continued to connect with the bag, and the chain rattled with each hit.

I stepped closer and clenched my fists at my sides. "I'm tired of this. Of you. Acting like a child, ignoring me, ignoring everyone! What are you even trying to prove?"

Still, nothing. He didn't even glance back.

"Hendrix!" I shouted. "You're being selfish and inconsiderate! I've been breaking my back trying to take care of you-do you realize that? Every second, I've been thinking about you, worrying about you, and this is how you repay me? By shutting me out?"

His fists stopped mid-swing. His shoulders stiffened, but he still didn't turn.

"Do you have any idea how much you've hurt me these past few weeks?" My voice wavered, but I pushed through. "Instead of being happy, I'm drowning in guilt because all I can think about is how I've failed you. But no, you'd rather sulk and act like a child than talk to me or Thomas-or anyone! What is wrong with you?"

I was panting now as I let my words sink into that thick skull of his. He turned slowly until we were face to face with each other. His face was blank, and his eyes unreadable. The silence between us stretched unbearably. "Hendrix, please," I said, my tone softer now. I reached out to touch his arm, but he jerked away.

"Don't," he said coldly. "Don't pretend you care."

His words sliced through me like a blade. "I don't care?" My voice rose again. "Are you serious? Everything I've done has been for you!"

"Everything you've done?" he sneered. "You mean abandoning me for Thomas? Or maybe parading your new relationship around like it's some great victory?"

"That's not fair-"

fair. You seduced me, Angel.

words hit me like a slap. "That's not true," I whispered, tears welling in my

rising with every word. "You got what you wanted, didn't you? You played the perfect

made my stomach turn. "Stop it,"

you stop it," he snapped. "Stop pretending you're the victim here. You're the one

up!" I

I saw a thin line of blood where my

I reached for him, but he grabbed my wrist

eyes bored into mine, and they were raw and filled with something I couldn't name. And then, before I could react,

and rough, and for a split second, I couldn't move. When I finally tried to pull away, his grip tightened, and he kissed me

as his mouth moved against mine. It was

as he whispered. "Tell

was closing, and my heart was pounding so loudly I thought it might

"We were good together. We loved each other. We still do I know you

my face as I shook my head. "Hendrix, it's wrong. Everything about

he demanded and tightened his grip. "When did you start falling for him? Why him?

choked on a sob. "What we

it's not that you love him," he said mockingly. "It's just that

"I didn't mean "

snapped, cutting me off. His face twisted with pain and anger, and he laughed bitterly. "You know what? It doesn't matter. You're mine, Angel. You'll always be mine. And I'll wait-no matter how long it takes, I'll

"Hendrix, please "

pressed a kiss to my trembling hand. "You're mine," he whispered again before turning and walking

collapsed to the floor. The sobs tore through me, and I couldn't stop them. My chest felt like it was caving in, and my heart felt like