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.

person? Maybe. But what

I even have a choice? No. Not

finds out?

she does, would she understand? No.

deserve to be

my hand, furious at myself for breaking. I didn't have the luxury of falling apart. Not

Dr. Joe really going

door startled me, and for a moment, I panicked. Had Dr. Joe sent someone to check on me? I crossed the room and

aside, letting her in. She perched on the edge of the bed with her sharp eyes scanning my

said

I muttered, avoiding her

Jumping at shadows. It's not like

a moment, I wanted to tell her everything. To spill the truth about Dr. Joe, about the spying, about my mother. But I couldn't.

tired," I said instead. "This

But you'd better

long after she left, hauntingly reminding me of the thin line I was walking. How much longer could

...

(Dr. Nixon's POV)

meticulously labeled and perfectly aligned. The inspection was days away, and I couldn't afford even the smallest mistake.

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 everything was in order. My stomach turned as I double-checked

piercing blue eyes scanned the room with a cold

"How's the preparation coming

a much more steadier manner