Darn Stupid Brother You Are

(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."

I placed a bouquet of lilies on the table beside her bed my unspoken promise to her. Then, with one last look at her sleeping face, I walked away, knowing that my feelings would never stop burning for her.

...

(Months Later)

(Angel's POV)

Life after the center was a patchwork of memories, good and bad.

It's funny, I thought as I stared at my phone, how everything changes, but some things stay the same.

A ping broke the silence, and I opened the group chat.

**Cylan:** *"Y'all won't believe this, but Ellen FINALLY got rid of that loser. She's pressing charges as we speak. Justice is coming, baby!"* [

**Hande:** *"About damn time. Go Ellen!"*

**Dilara:** *"Speaking of justice, Ethan's trial starts next week. Let's just say his dad's money won't save him this time."* []

**Eddie:** **And if it does, we'll kidnap him, tie him up, and let Dilara have at him with a paintbrush."*

**Dilrah:** *"Honestly, Eddie, how do you even come up with these things?"*

**Charlotte:** *"Miss you guys... France is beautiful but lonely."* [D

**Bundah:** *"Don't exaggerate, cherie. I'll be back from event hall shopping soon. I'm literally just half a mile away, guys."* **Eddie:** *"Event hall? What for, bud?"* [

**Hande:** **Do we have a wedding coming I wasn't informed of? Holy shit!"* 000

**Cylan:** *"Oh my fucking gosh! Not Bunlotte finally tying the fucking knot! Ahhh!!! Where's my invitation card?"*☐☐

**Angel:** *"You guys are nuts, but I love you. Keep the updates coming."* [

I smiled, but my heart ached. A notification caught my 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 lips. "You really weren't lying."

The tears came before I could stop them.

A voice broke the silence. "Angel?"

I spun around, quickly wiping my face. "Hendrix! What are you doing here?"

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

I blinked as I tried to process the sight of him. He looked... different. Older. Stronger. His jaw was more defined, his shoulders broader.

"What do you need?" I asked and turned off the stove.

He hesitated. He was avoiding my gaze. "I told Dad."

I froze. "Told him what?"

"About us." 

I stared at him, stunned. "Hendrix..."

He looked at me then, his eyes unreadable. "He wasn't thrilled, but he said it's our life. Not his."

I didn't know what to say.

"There's no 'us,' Hendrix," I whispered.

He stepped closer. "Stop saying that."

My breath hitched as he rested his chin on my shoulder and his hands brushed my waist.

"I know you loved Thomas," he said softly. "I'm sorry you lost him. But I won't leave you, Angel. Not now. Not ever."

I turned to him and tears began streaming down my face as I crumbled into his arms.

He held me tightly. "You can't fight this forever. I love you more than I love myself. That's huge, coming from a narcissist like me."

I laughed through my tears, shaking my head. "You're impossible."

"And you're stubborn," he teased and wiped my cheeks. "Now, can we cook? I'm starving."

I rolled my eyes but handed him a knife.

(Hendrix's POV)noveldrama

As we worked side by side in the kitchen, I couldn't help but steal glances at her. She was still so beautiful, even with all the scars she carried.

This isn't the end, I thought. It's just the beginning.

I would wait for her, fight for her, protect her. Always.

And maybe, she'd let me.

Just maybe.

**(The End)**