ManyWriters

The day of my dance performance, I was in a terrible car accident. I became wheelchair-bound.
My rival, Melody, took my place and cruelly taunted me.
"A cripple dares to compete with me?"
When I fell into depression and lost my will to live, it was my boyfriend Brent who stayed by my side, constantly encouraging me to keep going.
He not only hired a private doctor to treat me, but also personally prepared medicine and accompanied me to rehab every day. I thought he was a ray of light in my dark life.
Until the third year of our marriage, I overheard his conversation with the doctor.
"Mr. Shaw, Miss Stone's rehab motivation has been getting stronger lately. If she keeps taking this medicine, I'm afraid..."
"Increase the dosage. She must never stand up again. I won't let her take Melody's position as principal dancer."
Only then did I realize that his so-called tender care and redemption was nothing but a cruel conspiracy.
His daily attentive care was all to pave the way for his little childhood sweetheart.
If that's how it is, I'll let them have their way.

He Said a Cripple Wasn't Worthy Of the Principal Dancer

"I'm sorry darling, I can't accompany you to rehab today. There's a sudden meeting at the company. I'll make it up to you when I get back tonight."


The message on my phone screen was glaringly bright.


Everyone in London knew today was the Royal Opera House ballet company's celebration.


And the host of the celebration party just happened to be the Xie Group.


Brent wasn't going to a meeting at all. He was rushing off to celebrate with Melody.


Listening to the sound of the car starting up downstairs.


I lowered my eyes to look at my numb, powerless legs, and dialed a number across the ocean that I hadn't called in three years.


"I hear you're doing experiments. Can I ask you for a favor..."


When Brent came back, it was already 3 AM. I had just woken up from a nightmare.


After making sure he was asleep, I unlocked his phone.


As expected, his phone was filled with chat logs between him and Melody.


"Brent, I was so happy today. Thank you for coming to celebrate with me."


"Even though I'm one step closer to my dream, I still envy Miss Stone so much. She's disabled but has such a wonderful husband like you."The screen scrolls down, and my heart catches in my throat.


Brent's words cut like a poisoned dagger.


"There's nothing to envy about a cripple who can't even take care of herself. She's no match for you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have married her at all."


With trembling fingers, I open his phone's photo album.


Melody's performance video immediately catches my eye.


She dances gracefully on stage, like a noble white swan, pure and untainted.


Brent's voice and his buddy's can be heard in the video.


"Brent, I wouldn't dare dream of Chief Frost, but when are you gonna bring out that crippled darling of yours for us to play with?"


"Yeah, that cripple might not be able to do much, but she looks young. It must be a thrill to play with her."


"Fuck off, she's still your sister-in-law. Have some decency."


The men's vulgar laughter pierces my ears painfully.


So this is how Brent and his friends see me when I'm not around.


Melody is an untouchable fairy, while I'm just a plaything whose dignity can be trampled at will.


I laugh bitterly at myself, not bothering to watch any further.


I pick up my phone and book a flight ticket abroad for myself.The next morning, my phone vibrated with several emails from overseas flashing across the screen.


Brent furrowed his brow, looking at me with confusion.


"Emails from abroad? Do you know people overseas?"


I snatched the phone and turned off the screen, forcing a smile.


"It's nothing, I just registered for some online games from foreign websites to kill time a while back."


"Weren't you supposed to discuss a partnership at the company today? You'd better hurry so you're not late."


He carefully studied my expression, and only when he found nothing amiss did he plant a reassuring kiss on my forehead.


"Be good, darling. Once I finish this project, I promise I'll be home with you every day."


I nodded halfheartedly, not bothering to answer him.


After Brent left, I went to the hospital alone.


Although I'd long known Brent didn't love me, when I received the test results, the pain still felt like a knife twisting in my heart, leaving me breathless.


Neurotransmitter inhibitors and hydrogen cyanide.


So Brent not only wanted to keep me from ever standing up again, but he also intended to kill me without a trace.


Chapter 2