Stretcher 82

The next few days, our house felt like the Arctic tundra.

I kept my routine simple school, home, straight to my room to study. That was it.

When dinner time rolled around? I only cooked for one. Just me.

And when I threw a load in the washer? Only my own clothes went in.

As for their decision to go to Charlotte’s birthday party? I didn’t say jack shit. Didn’t even glance their way when they talked about it.

This complete radio silence was driving Blake, Ryan, and Kai absolutely nuts. They were so used to me being all up in their business, micromanaging every little thing.

The lack of drama? It was seriously messing with their heads, and they were getting more pissed off by the day.

Friday afternoon, I had to stay after school to help Mr. Peterson organize some physics competition materials since I was the class rep. Got home about an hour later than usual.

The second I opened the front door, something felt off.

Way too quiet.

I took the stairs two at a time and pushed open my bedroom door.

And just like that, my heart dropped into my stomach.

There on my desk – the stellar motion simulator I’d spent nearly three months building for the National High School Physics Competition – was completely destroyed. Just a pile of broken pieces scattered everywhere.

This thing was my baby, my ticket to getting into a top–tier college and finally getting the hell out of this house.

In my past life, they never touched it.

Because back then, I’d been the “perfect” big brother right up until graduation, swallowing every bit of resentment and keeping the peace.

I heard soft footsteps in my doorway.

Didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

Kai

Always lurking in the shadows like some emo vampire.

But here’s the thing – I didn’t lose my shit. Didn’t break down and cry like they probably expected.

Instead, I just knelt down and carefully started picking up each broken piece, placing them gently into an empty shoebox.

My calm reaction was clearly throwing Kai off he was still hovering in my doorway like some creepy stalker. Newest update provided by FindN()vel.net

He probably expected me to storm downstairs screaming, maybe even start swinging.

Instead, I just finished collecting the wreckage, cradled my box of broken dreams, and headed out.

Downstairs, Blake and Ryan were sprawled across the leather sectional, watching some Netflix show with these satisfied smirks plastered on their

faces.

The second Ryan saw my box of destroyed parts, his grin turned absolutely vicious.

He shot up from the couch and got right in my way.

“What’s up? Ready to throw down?”

I completely ignored him and locked eyes with Kai instead, who was still holding that damn hammer. Silver paint from my model was smeared all over the head.

I lifted my box slightly, keeping my voice dead even.

“This was you guys?”

Ryan couldn’t wait to take credit, practically puffing out his chest.

“Damn right it was You’ve been acting like a jealous psycho about Charlotte, walking around here like you own the place, trying to control our every move. Thought it was time someone put you in your place!”

He was getting louder, feeding off his own power trip.

“Besides, it’s just some nerdy science project. Not like it actually matters.”

“Maybe now you’ll remember who really runs shit around here!”

Blake stayed sprawled on the couch, not saying a word, but that cocky look in his eyes told me everything. He’d obviously signed off on this little revenge plot.

I stared at all three of them – these brothers I used to bend over backwards for, making sure they had everything they needed.

Right now? They looked like absolute garbage human beings.

But I didn’t explode or break down crying like they wanted. Just kept staring with zero emotion.

“Cool”

That’s all I gave them.

“Now you can hit up Charlotte’s party guilt–free, and I’m officially out of nationals. Everyone wins.”

My non–reaction was seriously screwing with their heads.

They’d choreographed this whole thing expecting me to completely lose it, and instead I was giving them nothing.

My robot–level calm was killing their high, and I could see them getting more pissed that I wasn’t playing their game.

I walked back upstairs without another word.

Once I was alone, I pulled out my phone and documented everything – every broken piece, every angle, including that hammer Kai had just left sitting there like an idiot.

Then I carefully sealed what was left of the main gyroscope in a ziplock bag and hid it behind the loose baseboard under my bed.

They thought trashing my shot at MIT would break me down and remind me of my place in their little hierarchy.

Through my door, I could hear Blake doing damage control with the other two.

“Alright, that’s enough. She obviously gets it now.”

His voice had subtle smugness.

“As long as she knows who’s really in charge, she’ll quit being a jealous bitch about Charlotte.”

“Charlotte’s party’s tomorrow, so get your gifts wrapped. Don’t want to disappoint our girl.”

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.