Chapter 3

Clara was standing at the door by the time they were back at the Carter residence. She was wearing Natalie's favorite light blue dress, her hair styled into the signature ballet bun that Natalie used to wear. "Natalie!" Clara jogged over, her face full of fake concern. "I'm sorry. The competition kept me from visiting you." Jayden's and Logan's eyes immediately lit up. "How did the competition go?" Clara happily skipped into the living room and came out with a gleaming trophy in hand. "I placed first! The judges said my performance was flawless!" Natalie stared at the trophy that should have been hers. A sharp wave of phantom pain shot through her left leg. In her mind, she saw herself standing on the stage one last time—she looked like a swan poised to fly under the spotlight. But now, thanks to her biological older brother and fiancé, even standing on her own two legs had become an impossible dream. The three of them stood around the trophy, laughing and chatting, completely forgetting about Natalie in the wheelchair. She quietly turned the wheelchair and began moving toward the elevator. Clara immediately ran after her and reached out to help. "Let me help you, Natalie." After exiting the elevator on the third floor, she suddenly whispered in Natalie's ear, "You're so disgusting, Natalie. You're even using a urine bag now. Do you think Logan will smell the stench of urine on you when he touches you in the future?" Natalie's face paled. Before she could say anything, Clara let out a loud cry, "Natalie, no!" After that, her whole body tilted backward, and she tumbled down the staircase. "Clara!" "What happened?" By the time Jayden and Logan rushed over, Clara was curled up on the ground, weeping. "It's not Natalie's fault, guys. She's just too upset over the fact that I can still dance when her legs are broken—" "Are you crazy, Natalie?" Jayden grabbed the armrest of Natalie's wheelchair with such force that the metal creaked under the pressure. He leaned forward, his usually gentle gaze now lit with fury as he glared at her. "Do you know how important legs are to a dancer?" Natalie looked up at Jayden and suddenly laughed. The smile never reached her eyes, only making her pale face look even more hollow. "So you do know, Jay," she softly mumbled, her fingers unconsciously brushing over her numb legs. "You know how important legs are to a dancer." Logan stood by the side with his fists tightly balled. His lips parted as if he wanted to speak, but when he noticed Clara's swollen ankles, he pressed his lips shut. "Apologize." Jayden's voice was icy. "Apologize to Clara now!" Natalie straightened her back in the wheelchair, just like she'd done countless times on stage. "Why should I apologize? She fell on her own." The atmosphere tensed up. Clara suddenly broke into a sob as she limped over. "It's alright, Jay. I understand that Natalie's in a bad mood—" "Clara!" Jayden worriedly helped her up. "You're just too understanding!" Natalie turned her wheelchair, the metallic wheels screeching loudly against the marble floor. She couldn't stand watching the farce any longer, nor could she bear the smug look in Clara's eyes. … Late at night, Natalie leaned against the headboard as she gazed at the pale moonlight outside the window. The door creaked softly, and Logan came in with a glass of milk. "Have some milk, Natalie. It'll help you sleep." He placed the glass by the bedside and softly said, "Drink it up, okay?" Natalie's gaze turned cold as soon as the door closed. She took the glass of milk and poured it into the potted plant without hesitation. A faint rustling sound pulled her out of a light sleep at midnight. She squinted, barely making out a shadow by her bed. "Natalie?" Logan's voice was almost inaudible. Natalie held her breath, her body frozen and unmoving. After making sure that she didn't react, a pair of hands suddenly yanked her up violently. A burlap sack was then thrown over her head. Natalie instinctively struggled but was forcefully slammed onto the ground. The sharp pain that shot through her spine caused her vision to go dark, but she bit down on her lips, forcing herself to stay silent. "Aren't we going overboard, Jayden?" Logan's voice was trembling. "Natalie's legs are already in this state, yet you still want me to sedate and abduct her, then take her to this place—all just to show support for Clara?" "Are you feeling sorry for her now?" Jayden's cold laughter cut into Natalie's heart. "She was ruthless when she pushed Clara down. Besides, she can't feel anything on her legs—we'll just give her a few beatings to teach her a lesson." The rough burlap sack scratched Natalie's skin, and she gripped her fists tightly. They were right—her legs couldn't feel the pain, but her heart felt as if it was torn to pieces. "Do it," Jayden instructed icily. Natalie could hear the dull crack of her bone in her leg when the first blow landed. She was hit repeatedly and tossed around mercilessly like a ragdoll. A gasp of pain eventually slipped out of her clenched teeth. The sound of beating stopped abruptly. "Who's there?" Jayden's voice shot up. The next moment, Natalie felt someone trembling as they gripped the edge of the burlap sack, slowly lifting it off her.