Pain and Pictures

Chapter 31- Brother

Violet Monroe's POV

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"Get out!"

"Can I quote you on that?"

"Get the hell out of my home!"

I was unhinged. He dared accuse my brother? Again?! He really has pulled the rug out from under me. To think, I'd actually liked him.

"Vi, I saw him!"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"He and some chick were at a drug den, they were talking about you and getting your money. He said you were faking it."

My heart was hammering, I could feel the dizziness setting in. I knew I was seconds away from another spell.

"Jordan, I need you to leave. Never come back here. Ever. I've heard enough of your lies. I. Hate. You."

He looked dejected. Good.

He'd not only betrayed my trust, he'd broken my heart.

I have never been a romantic. I have never latched onto another person, not like I did Jordan.

I knew, from the start, that he was troubled. I could see it in his eyes. He put on airs, always seeming to be light-hearted. But I saw him.

When he'd kissed me, the first time, I was shocked. So shocked, I hit him. But I'd wanted him to kiss me. Which had never happened before. I have always been in control of my desires. If I was with someone, it was on my terms.

Not with Jordan, though.

He barrelled into my life and I was powerless to stop it. Which was scary as hell. He could destroy me.

He did destroy me.

"Violet? Are you okay? Do you need your pills? Water? Anything?"

"All I want... is for you... to go."

He looked down and then nodded.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I burst into sobs. My chest constricted, and I knew (for once) it had more to do with my emotions than my condition.

My heart was simply not strong enough. I doubted it would ever recover.

I heard yelling through the door. Lance's commanding voice could be heard on the entire floor, I was sure. He must have run into Jordan on his way back.

Part of me wanted to stop him, to keep Jordan safe. But I had to stay away from him. I had to let Lance have his say. He was angry too.

When the shouting stopped, I decided to go to my room. I knew Lance had brought food, but I'd lost my appetite.

Hours later, after I'd slept, I stepped out into the lounge and caught site of Victor and Lance. They've never gotten along, but he makes an effort, for me. Which was more than I could say for Victor, he's always acted as if Lance is just 'the help', but he's not.

Lance hates how Victor treats me. Which is understandable. He's never really been a great brother. We lost far too much time being distant cousins.

I've tried to make an effort.

Victor looked up to see me walking down the hall. I was sure my face looked a mess, and by his disgusted look, I was sure of it.

"What happened? Why have you been crying? Was it the pap? I heard he was here. What did he want?"

"Hello, brother. Thanks for the wonderful compliment. Lovely to see you too."

He scowled.

"I'll be fine. He wanted a comment on a story, which I would not give him. Let him write whatever he wants. It doesn't matter anymore."

I sat on the sofa and hugged my knees to my chest. I felt lost. Alone. Even with them here, I had never felt more isolated. So, desperate.

Lance took this as his cue to leave us be, he went to his room, but I knew he would keep his door open. He wouldn't leave me alone.

What I really wanted was Jordan. The one I'd thought I'd known. Even if it had only been a week, it was like having a part of my soul forcibly detached. I hated it.

"Vi? Erm... I... have something for you."

What? Victor has never given me anything. Other than the occasional Christmas gift, but even they were impersonal, and cold.

My face brightened, I would cling to any measure of hope, at this point.

I just wanted him to be my family.

"You do? What is it?"

"Well, I thought about your situation, and if all you really need to start working again is pain medication, well, there's a simple solution."

Then he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small clear pouch, with several white pills.

Drugs.