I Killed My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter Three

The doctor inspected Verena's discolored ribs. The doctor informed her that not much could be done about broken ribs if one of them wasn't poking her lung, which thankfully wasn't the case. She was just going to have to take it easy and was recommended to use ice.

She was malnourished, and the doctor suspected that bulimia played a role in it, along with the neglect she faced. Old and new scars also littered different parts of her body. She had some fresh wounds, mostly the scratches on her wrists from when her anxiety flared up.

Praxis was furious about the treatment of his little sister. He was also mad at his brothers for sending her away like this and never bothering to get her back when her time was up in the institution.

It wasn't like they hadn't killed anyone before. Their father had made enemies and messes that the elder brothers had to clean up. Killing became necessary on multiple occasions. They weren't in a mafia; their father just brought trouble. His brothers only judged and shunned Verena because she wasn't their mother's child, and she killed someone close to them. Praxis was convinced it wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment thing. Something led to it. He wasn't a fool. His sister wasn't malicious. Her brothers failed her. He failed her.

He tried to get Verena's oldest half-brother, who was born to her mother, to try to get custody. His brothers hated Verena's other half-brothers due to the whole affair between their parents. But Praxis wanted her out of that institution. It already had a bad reputation, but he had no power, as Davian had all the control. He was able to prevent Lycus from getting custody even though he was more than willing. Davian was convinced it was best for her to be locked away longer.

Now that Praxis was able to get her, he could protect her, and he will. If no one else will help her, he will do it by himself. He didn't give a shit about what his brothers thought. They made her this quiet and timid; who knows what else was going on in her head because of that institution. He was going to burn it down with the staff in it.

He was now driving Verena to his condo after he received a treatment plan for her. He also planned to get her a therapist after she settled. It will take a lot of work to help her but he didn't care. She was his baby sister that was failed by those around her who were supposed to care for her and she was the one to pay for it.

When he entered his condo with Verena, she couldn't stop staring at the luxurious condo her brother owned. It was amazing. Granted, the house she lived at with her brothers was big and fancy, but it amazed her how a smaller space could still be so luxurious.

"You like it?" He asked her with a smile. Verena immediately nodded her head.

Praxis told her she was free to walk around and explore and she hesitated but eventually started to roam around and take in everything. He could see how fascinated she was about his farily new place. He bought it simply because there was no way she was going back to the house with the rest of their brothers.

His brothers hounded him with questions when they discovered he was suddenly moving out. He had never talked about moving out before, so the sudden announcement took them all off guard. Praxis could tell that Davian suspected he was up to something. He knew Davian would dig to find out what he was doing and his new address. He never told Davian or his other brothers where his condo was, but Davian had his ways. Praxis just hoped that his brothers would come sniffing around and run into Verena.

"Do you want to see your room?" Praxis asked.

Verena nodded.

Praxis led her to the room that was down the hall from his. He figured she would like her own space and have a window. He knew she didn't have one at the institution. He left the room bare so she could decorate it how she wanted. He would either take her to the store to find things for the room or just shop online if she wasn't comfortable going out in public yet.

He was glad she seemed happy so far with her room. He got her a queen-sized bed with a few choices of sheets for her to choose from.

"Th-thank you, Praxis," she said quietly.

Praxis broke out in a wide smile as she finally spoke to him. He started to think she wouldn't talk anytime soon. She just needed to be comfortable. She felt comfortable enough with him now.

"Of course. I would have gotten you out of there sooner if I could." He said solemnly.

Verena gave him a sad smile and nodded.