Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 101

(Ava's POV)

I was crouched low against the cold corridor wall, and my fingers were trembling as I held the recording device Dr. Joe had forced into my hands earlier. The fight between Angel and Hendrix was happening just a few feet away. Their voices were raised but muffled by the closed gym door. I pressed my ear against the crack, straining to catch even fragments of their words.

"...abandoning me for Thomas..."

"...what we had was wrong..."

Their voices bled anger and heartbreak, yet I couldn't make out the full sentences. I adjusted the recorder, frustrated. This task-this sick, intrusive task-was another of Dr. Joe's clever traps. He'd said the information was crucial, but I knew better. He wanted leverage, ammunition to keep us all under his control.

A pang of jealousy twisted in my chest as I caught the faintest sound of Angel sobbing. Hendrix's voice softened, though the words still eluded me. They cared for each other, even in their twisted way. Step-siblings. Forbidden. It was insane and wrong, but at least they had someone. Someone who truly cared.

Unlike me.

I clenched the recorder in my hand, and the sharp edges dug into my palm. What did I have? A manipulative mother drowning in debt, and a life dictated by a man who saw me as nothing more than a tool. I leaned back against the wall, and felt my chest tighten. How had my life become this?

.

By the time I returned to my room, I was shaking. I tossed the recorder onto the bed like it was a venomous snake, then slumped into the corner and rested my head against my knees. The walls seemed to close in harder than ever. Why had I agreed to spy for Dr. Joe? Why had I let him manipulate me with promises of freedom for my mother?

The usual questions tumbled out of my mouth-my usual routine.

Am I doing the right thing? Of course. I'm saving her.

Maybe. But

have a

Angel finds out? She

would she understand? No.

to be hated?

with the back of my hand, furious at myself for breaking. I didn't

of doubt planted itself in my mind. Was Dr. Joe really going to let me walk away? Would I

crossed the room and opened the door a crack. Dilrah stood on the other side, looking concerned. "Can I

on the edge

she said bluntly. "What's

I muttered, avoiding her

Jumping at shadows. It's not like you. And this has

her everything. To spill the truth about Dr. Joe, about the spying, about

tired," I said instead. "This place gets to

does. But you'd better figure out how to handle it. You can't let

me of the thin line I was

...

(Dr. Nixon's POV)

perfectly aligned. The inspection was days away, and I couldn't afford even the smallest mistake. Not when everything was riding

wall, the ticking sound like a bell in my head. Dr. Joe's footsteps echoed down the hall and grew louder with each passing second. He was coming to check on me, to ensure

he entered, his piercing blue eyes scanned the room with a

he said smoothly. "How's the preparation coming

on schedule," I replied in a much more steadier