MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Chapter 383 A Brother's Burden

The automatic doors of the hospital slid open, and Joey stepped inside, the faint smell of medicines immediately hitting him.

With its clean white walls, distant hum of machinery, and soft murmur of conversations, the room had an air that Joey had always feared.

Hospitals were places of healing, but they also carried an undeniable weight of somberness, and today, he felt every ounce of it.

He walked down to the receptionist, his steps slow and heavy.

He got closer to his brother with each step, but it also made him feel things he couldn't quite put together. Read the latest on empire

Relief that his brother was alive. Anger at the situation that put him here.

Fear of what he would find when he stepped into that room.

Joey adjusted the strap of his backpack, his grip tightening on it as if it could anchor him.

His mind played through everything Victor had told him.

His brother was alive, but his knees were shattered, the facts of what had happened painted a very sad picture.

Joey couldn't help but feel a mix of guilt and helplessness.

Had there been signs he missed? Could he have done something to stop this before it got so far?

He shook his head.

Joey approached the reception desk, his voice steady despite the emotions swirling within him. "Visiting Jake Morales," he said.

The receptionist glanced up briefly, typing into her computer. "Name?" she asked.

"Joey Morales," he replied without hesitation.

She nodded and checked the records. "Room 314. Just down the hall, take the elevator to the third floor."

"Thanks," Joey said curtly, already turning toward the hallway.

.

.

.

Joey didn't press for answers.

Not yet.

Instead, he stayed by his brother's side, letting the silence fill the room as he offered quiet support.

Joey sat on the small sofa near the bed, leaning back with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the floor.

The silence in the room was heavy, but Joey didn't seem in a rush to break it.

Jake shifted slightly, his gaze on his younger brother. "So... how's life?" he asked, his tone tentative.

Joey didn't look up.

He didn't answer, letting the question hang in the air before finally speaking.

"What are you gonna do next?" he asked abruptly.

Jake blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

Joey glanced at him, his face calm but his eyes sharp. "What's your plan after this?" he clarified, nodding toward Jake's legs.

Jake exhaled, leaning back into the pillows.

He seemed to chew on the question, his jaw tightening. "I don't know," he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Joey nodded slowly, the weight of the conversation sinking in.

Jake looked up at the ceiling, his voice heavy. "With my legs like this... I need to find a way to make money for us. I'm sorry I couldn't send you anything the past few months. Things have been... complicated."

Joey's jaw tightened, and he leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "You also didn't call. Or text."

Jake's eyes shifted, guilt flashing across his face. "I know. I'm sorry. Look, things will be fine. No need to worry, alright? I'll work something out."

Joey sat back, crossing his arms, his voice sharper now. "I'm not a kid, Jake. You can't keep treating me like one."

Jake's head turned toward him, surprise mixed with weariness. "Joey, I'm just trying to—"

"To protect me? To shield me from everything like you've always done?" Joey cut him off, his voice rising slightly. "You think I don't know how hard things were for you? For us? You don't have to carry all of it alone anymore."

Jake sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm not trying to treat you like a kid. I'm just... it's my job to take care of you."

Joey leaned forward again, his tone softening but firm. "Not anymore. You've done enough, Jake. Let me help for once."