Chapter 2

The day Clara's exam results came out, she vanished.

My calls went unanswered. I wheeled anxiously around our apartment until dusk, unable to sit still any longer. Finally, I decided to go look for her.

Our apartment was in a run-down complex with poor maintenance. The hallways were narrow and dim, with burnt-out bulbs no one ever replaced. Just maneuvering my wheelchair past the cluttered corridor was a challenge. The tight space and my useless legs made it nearly impossible - after an hour, I'd barely made it halfway out.

In frustration, I slammed my fists against my legs. "Why?" I shouted. "Why did both my legs have to be ruined?"

Tears slipped between my fingers as I covered my face. I wiped them away roughly, telling myself nothing was certain yet. Clara might resent me, but she hadn't actually ended things. As long as she kept her promise, I still had hope.

Just as I steeled myself to try again, my phone buzzed. An anonymous message with a photo attached.

Though the image was blurry, Clara's smile was unmistakable. She was nestled in a man's arms, his hand wrapped possessively around her waist. He stared directly into the camera with a smug grin. I recognized him instantly - Caleb Carter, her childhood sweetheart.

In a blind rage, I smashed everything within reach in the hallway. Then I grabbed my wheels and rushed out, ignoring the pain in my hands. I had to confront Clara about her betrayal.

But fate wasn't kind.

The neighbors whose property I'd damaged called the police.

At the station, they surrounded me, shouting and demanding unreasonable compensation.

How could I pay?

I'd given everything to Clara. During her year of exam preparation, I'd supported her completely - paying for her food, rent, everything. I'd worked myself to exhaustion, selling sketches for pennies.

To save money for her studies, I'd bought only the cheapest painkillers.

I'd thought once she passed, it would all be worth it. Instead, she'd betrayed me.

My hands shook as I stared at her number, finally finding the courage to call again. This time, she answered immediately.

Hearing her voice, words failed me. Looking at the angry crowd, I could only laugh bitterly. "The results are out. Did you pass?"

After a long pause, she answered quietly, "Yes."

My lips trembled, and suddenly I lost all desire to confront her. Maybe someone like me didn't deserve happiness.

Clara was extraordinary - beautiful, ambitious, and determined. She belonged in the light. And now, I wasn't good enough for her. I couldn't blame her.

Fighting back tears, my throat tight, I forced out the words: "Let's break up."