Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 119

(Dilara's

POV)

From where I stood, half-hidden behind a huge oak tree at the edge of the courthouse, I watched Ethan Crawford get eviscerated by his father.

The elder Crawford's face was a deep shade of red, veins bulging at his temples as he jabbed a finger at Ethan's chest. Ethan, for all his smugness, now looked like a scolded child. His shoulders hunched as his father berated him. It was like the weight of his failure was finally sinking in.

"This is what you've done to us, Ethan!" Mr. Crawford roared and his voice carried across the parking lot. "Millions-millions I've spent covering your damn messes. And for what? For it to all come crashing down now?" Ethan, his usual arrogance nowhere to be found, stammered. "Dad, I-"

"Don't you dare!" his father spat. "Do you have any idea what you've cost me? My reputation? My investments in the center? The board's on my back, and now this... this rape case of yours is public! Do you know how many skeletons I've buried to keep your name clean?"

I chuckled softly to myself, but it was bitter. It was almost poetic, watching Ethan's world crumble. The man who had once held so much power over me now looked so small, so insignificant. But this wasn't enough. Not yet.

This wasn't just about me-it never was. It was about every girl he'd hurt, every life he'd shattered. For years, I'd thought I was alone in my pain as I carried the consequences of his actions in silence. But I wasn't alone. And I wasn't silent anymore.

I glanced down at my phone as the notifications from the Facebook group lit up the screen.

*"Thank you for starting this, Dilara."*

*"I've waited so long to tell my story."*

*"We'll fight him together."*

The messages poured in, one after the other. Survivors, women who had been silenced for years, were finally finding their voices.

I had started the group two weeks ago, shortly after publicizing the extent of Ethan's crimes. At first, it was just a handful of us-women I'd tracked down through rumors and networking. But word spread quickly, and now there were dozens. Maybe even hundreds soon.

I tapped into the chat.

*"Ladies, it's time."*

The responses came in immediately.

*"Let's do this."*

*"He won't get away with it."*

*"For the ones who can't fight back."*

My chest tightened as I read the words; anger and hope swelled in me.

This wasn't just about taking Ethan down. It was about sending a message to him, to his father, to every man who thought they could use their power and money to destroy lives.

I turned my gaze back to Ethan. His father had stormed off and left him alone in the parking lot, his head in his hands.

done falling yet," I murmured to myself. "And I'm going to make sure you hit the ground harder than you

phone and walked away

only

...

(Hande's POV)

I were sitting across from the travel program coordinator, who had just handed us a

my elbow. "Eddie, you barely know how to pack a bag, let alone

in his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. "That's why I have you, babe. You're the

charm that convinced me to

tried to maintain professionalism while she fought

no idea," I said and signed my name on

be offended. "I'll have it securely in my-" He patted his pockets,

burst out laughing, shaking

plan? You hit the books, I hit the keyboard, and then we become a world-conquering duo?" "More like I study

in mock outrage. "I'll have you know, I'm going to be the best

said, squinting at him playfully. "And when your first

moment, then grinned. "I'll call

his goofiness, I couldn't

...

(Charlotte's POV)

Every corner seemed to echo with memories of the center-the bare hallways, the quiet whispers of my roommates, the comfort of

an eternity. I missed them all-Hande's teasing encouragement, Angel's leadership, even Eddie's silly jokes. But most of

shelf. The mundane tasks of daily life were supposed to help

an accent that sent

was-Bundah, standing awkwardly in the middle of the aisle, holding a basket filled

I whispered, barely able

"Bonjour... uh...

out of me as tears welled up in my eyes. "You're here? You're

set the basket down as his hands reached for mine. "I...

tears and gripped his hands tightly. "Me too.

trembling slightly as he took a deep breath, "I came

missed so much. "I want to

a moment, I forgot

want to spend the rest

tears as I

for the first time since leaving the center, I felt like I

...

(Dilrah's POV)

hallway was colder than I expected. Ava sat beside me; her head was bowed, and her hands were twisting the hem of her shirt. She looked like a shadow of herself, and

this," I said quietly, keeping my gaze fixed on

a plea. "What do you mean, you're leaving?