Broken Legs, Broken Heart

To help Elisabeth play in the women's soccer match, Reid had someone break my legs. I was shaking with fear and begged him, but he remained unmoved.

"Elisabeth has been waiting for this chance for so long. You've had so many opportunities, can’t you give her just one?" Reid swung the baseball bat, and the excruciating pain followed with a sickening crunch.

I lay on the ground, tears streaming down my face, pleading for him to call an ambulance. He just said, "I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do. Just hang in there."

Soon after, Elisabeth called, and Reid was summoned away. I missed the critical window for medical treatment and was left confined to a wheelchair for life.

Later, he promised through tears that he'd take care of me forever. But I found it laughable. Could he ever replace my lost legs and shattered dreams?

...

The team had finished the voting, and everyone expected my name to be on the list. I was the youngest and most talented athlete on the team, with a collection of awards. But before the roster was announced, Reid personally broke my legs.

I curled on the ground, agony shooting through my legs, and sweat pouring down my forehead. Reid's baseball bat came down hard again, and I couldn't stop myself from screaming.

"Please, Reid, let me go..." I cried out, clutching at his feet despite my dignity, begging for mercy. But he ignored my pleas, his eyes wild with something I couldn't recognize.

When he finally wore out, he called over a bodyguard to continue. Perhaps my cries were too haunting; he frowned slightly, showing a glimmer of regret.

"Zaylee, don't blame me. There's nothing else to do. You stepping down is the only way for Elisabeth to get a shot."

"You have talent and luck; you've collected so many awards. Letting her have this chance isn’t too much to ask, is it?"

I was stunned, my heart frozen. Years of rigorous training, the sweat, the tears—all dismissed with a simple phrase: 'talent and luck.'

We'd been together since college. He was with me at every step towards my dream. How could he not understand the value I placed on this opportunity?

Despite my heart being crushed, a part of me still held hope and asked him again, "Reid, are you really going to hurt me for her? After all we’ve been through, doesn’t your conscience trouble you?"

Reid's eyes showed a flicker of doubt; just as he seemed about to speak, his phone rang. Seeing the caller, his face brightened, and he answered in front of me.

Elisabeth's falsely worried voice came through, "Reid, did you manage to put me on the substitute list like you promised? If I miss this, I might never have another shot..."

Her voice softened, her sobbing apparent. Reid’s sympathy for her was immediate, comforting, "Don't worry, Elisabeth, I'll make sure your dreams come true. Your award is waiting."

After ending the call, Reid turned to me, saying, "You heard her. Elisabeth really needs this chance."

"Hang in there. After it's done, I'll get you to a hospital immediately. Everything will be fine."

He then ordered the bodyguard to continue attacking my legs. At that moment, my spirit broke. The physical agony was interwoven with the despair within me.

My eyes were red, but I stubbornly refused to cry. Why? I was filled with such bitterness. Elisabeth's dreams mattered, but my years of relentless training amounted to nothing?

I don't remember how long it was until the wailing of the ambulance woke me. I called out for help, but Elisabeth appeared, pretending to have twisted her ankle, crying out about her own pain.

Reid quickly became frantic, gathering all medical staff around her. Elisabeth was encircled by concerned people, while I was left ignored, discarded. My vision dimmed, and I passed out from the pain.

...

When I woke again, I was in a hospital bed, my legs numb. The doctor regretfully informed me that due to delayed treatment and nerve damage, I would likely be in a wheelchair for life.

Reid stood by, eyes red with remorse. He held my hand, full of guilt, "I'm sorry, Zaylee, I didn't think it would end like this. I really didn't mean to."

"I wanted to get you to the hospital quickly, but..."

"But don't worry, I'll take care of you for the rest of your life!"

I looked at him, feeling only disdain, "Take care of me for life? How generous."

There was no returning to how things had been. Instead of arguing, I chose to placate him for now so I could focus on my recovery.

That day, for the first time, I considered leaving him.

Reid studied my face for a long time before he finally relaxed and said, "Zaylee, rest a bit. I'll get you something to eat."

I nodded absentmindedly and closed my eyes, exhausted. I should have let go when he repeatedly chose Elisabeth over me in both major and minor situations. But I clung to our past, believing he was only temporarily distracted and would come back to me eventually.

Only after facing such cruelty and losing my legs did I see how misguided my hope had been.

When the nurse came to change my IV, Elisabeth walked in with a basket of apples and faked sympathy. She carried flowers, her demeanor full of regret, "Zaylee, I heard about your injury and came to see you..."

"When the ambulance arrived, I truly didn’t know you were there. If I had known, I would have let them treat you first."

Elisabeth’s act stoked my anger, and I spoke with bitterness, "Stop pretending. Reid isn't here."

"Now you have my spot. Cut the act. Do you think I don't see through your intentions?"

Her face twisted into a look of deep hurt, as if I'd wronged her, "Zaylee, how can you see me this way? I genuinely wanted to see how you were..."

I simply glared coldly at her, saying nothing. Reid might be fooled by her innocent act time and again, but I would not.

Seeing my unwelcoming attitude, Elisabeth dropped her mask. She smirked arrogantly, "What's wrong? The superstar can't stand anymore?"

"Even if you could, you're just a cripple now. You don't belong on the field."

Her words filled me with anger. I struggled to master my rage and bitterness, turning my face away from her.

Then she unexpectedly leaned over, offering to massage my legs as treatment. But how could I let her touch my legs again?

I pushed her away in alarm, dreading another deceit. She theatrically fell back, landing firmly on the floor.

At that moment, Reid walked in with a baguette and a thermos of coffee for me.