Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 120

(Angel's POV)

I woke up in the cold silence of the hospital room. My body was aching all over and my mind was drowning in a heavy fog of memories.

It's over, I thought, but the words felt hollow.

The ceiling above me blurred as my eyes filled with tears; the weight of everything came crashing down on me.

It all started so simply just a trip to the center to help Hendrix. I was naive then, thinking I could handle it all, that nothing could truly harm me. But I didn't know what awaited us behind those walls. A maze of deception, control, and evil. A place where lives were bought and sold like merchandise.

Hendrix and I, we walked into that nightmare hand in hand. Well, maybe not literally. It was complicated even then, wasn't it? Us. Always so close, but always so far apart. And Thomas...

I choked on a sob as his face flashed in my mind. His smile, his steady presence. The way he loved me without conditions, even though I never really deserved it.

Thomas, you saved me. Again and again. But I couldn't save you. You were eccentric, and you had so much life ahead of you. I didn't even get to say goodbye.

I think about the others too-Cylan's reckless determination, Dilara's quiet strength, Charlotte's subtle cheers, Hande and Eddie's light in the darkness. Even Ava. They all have scars now, pieces of them left behind in that center. And me? I have more scars than I can count. On my body, in my mind, in my soul. But I survived.

I wiped my tears and tried to steady my breathing. The journey wasn't just behind me it was inside me and shaped the person I'd become.

...

(Hendrix's POV)

She was asleep when I walked in. Her face looked pale against the hospital pillow. Angel looked so fragile, like a porcelain doll that had been cracked and glued back together.

"I'm sorry," I whispered and sat beside her. "For everything."

The words felt like a confession. I was sorry for hurting her, for not being able to protect her from the pain of losing Thomas. But most of all, I was sorry for the way I'd loved her selfishly, desperately.

"I'll do better," I promised in a barely audible voice. "I'll protect you, Angel. No matter what it takes."

with one last

...

(Months Later)

(Angel's POV)

after the center was a patchwork of memories,

my phone, how

broke the silence, and I opened the

believe this, but Ellen FINALLY got rid of that

*"About damn time. Go

week. Let's just say his dad's money won't save him this

does, we'll kidnap him, tie him up, and let Dilara

Eddie, how do you

*"Miss you guys... France

hall shopping soon. I'm literally

we have a wedding coming I wasn't informed

Not Bunlotte finally tying

*"You guys are nuts, but I love you. Keep the updates

eye. It was a picture-Thomas's burial. I zoomed in on the inscription: Thomas Mitchell, 1994-2018. Beloved Son and Friend. "Twenty-four," I whispered as a sad smile tugged at my

tears came before I

voice broke the

my face. "Hendrix!

the kitchen, his hands shoved into his pockets. "You weren't answering your phone. I let myself

to process the sight of him. He looked... different. Older. Stronger. His jaw

I asked and turned off

avoiding my

froze. "Told

"About us."

at him, stunned.

"He wasn't thrilled, but

know