Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

THE TRUTH

LUKE

The waiting room felt like a cage, each second stretching out like an eternity. Josh and I sat in silence, both staring at the double doors that led to the operating rooms. Every time they swung open, I braced myself, heart thundering in my chest, only for some nurse or orderly to walk through without looking in our direction.

We were running out of hope with every passing moment.

When the police arrived, the tension in the room shifted. Two officers walked toward us, their presence heavy and

authoritative. Josh and I exchanged a quick look and then stood as they approached.

"Josh? Luke?" the taller officer asked, his eyes darting between

1. us.

"Yeah," Josh answered, his voice sharp and exhausting.

"We have some questions about Sarah-the woman who shot Laura," the officer began, pulling out a notepad. "How do your know her? How well?"

Josh clenched his jaw, his fists tightening. "She's-she was staying with us," he said.

The officer's lips pressed into a thin line. "Did you know she's been in and out of psychiatric facilities?"

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up, his eyes narrowing.

1288 Ves

officer continued, his tone even. "But she became addicted to controlled substances-fentanyl, among others. While working, she accidentally overdosed a patient, which resulted in their death. She

the hell was she back at the

elderly patients to steal their medication. According to her file, she's been using it again, and her mental health has significantly deteriorated. She was discharged prematurely and slipped through the cracks. After tonight, we've had her transferred back to a psychiatric facility

pacing a short line in front

my hair, anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "She could've-" I stopped myself. She did. She shot Laura. She nearly

"We'll contact you if we need further

through. My breath caught as I recognized Laura's pale

walked away, the double doors opened

me-that's my wife," he said, his voice breaking as

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her side in seconds, his hand finding hers. The nurse pushing the gurney glanced at him, then nodded, letting him walk with her

down the hall. Relief and fear warred within me. Laura was alive, but what

man in a white coat walking toward me, his expression calm but serious. "Luke

"Is Jess

hand. "I'm Dr. Dos Santos. I specialize in

Jess wasn't-she was still supposed to be in surgery. Why

do you mean neonatal?" I asked, my voice rising as I fell into step beside him. My legs felt heavy, like I was moving through quicksand. "Jess is