Declan Vance lost the use of his legs. Overnight, the golden boy of high society plummeted into the mud. And I, the girl who had loved him for years, took full advantage of his downfall. He mocked himself, "You want me, but I’m a cripple now." I stared at his legs, completely unbothered. "Your legs are paralyzed, not your reproductive organs." That night, the usually composed and disciplined Declan pulled me onto his lap. He whispered, "I heard your riding skills are excellent?" I shook my head frantically, denying it. "No... my lower back hurts." 01 Declan Vance lost the use of his legs. His girlfriend ran away, his best friend betrayed him, and his illegitimate half-brother usurped his position. Overnight, the untouchable heir was dragged through the mud, abandoned by everyone. Holding a bouquet of flowers, I stopped at the door of his hospital room. Declan was sitting on the hospital bed, his back to me. His lean frame shifted slightly. He reached out, trying to grab a glass of water from the bedside table. I don't know if it was just out of reach, or if he was just careless. The glass crashed to the floor. It shattered into pieces. In the dead silence of the hospital room, the sound was piercing. Declan hung his head, his fingers curling inward. He gripped the bedsheets until his knuckles turned white. The once proud and arrogant man now radiated a suffocating aura of depression and gloom. In that stark white room, he looked like a trapped, lonely beast. It made my eyes burn. Forcing down my emotions, I knocked on the door. Declan turned his head. The moment our eyes met, his pale face and the faint redness rimming his eyes sent a sharp ache through my heart. Seeing me, a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes. Followed by a flurry of emotions I couldn't quite decipher, disappearing in a flash. He spoke first, his voice dry and hoarse. "Why are you here?" I strode forward, clutching the flowers. I gave him a wicked, bratty smile. "To laugh at you, obviously." "The great Declan Vance, once surrounded by sycophants, now left completely alone." "I seem to remember two people standing in front of me years ago, swearing they had found their true loves and would never leave each other." I chuckled softly. "Guess that was just talk." My words were laced with pure venom. Every sentence was meant to cut deep. Hearing this, Declan didn't get angry. He showed no emotion at all. He just listened silently to my relentless mockery. He watched as I called a nurse to sweep up the broken glass on the floor. He watched as I casually tossed the dead, rotting flowers from his vase into the trash. I washed the neglected vase, filled it with fresh water. And arranged the new flowers. I looked around the room. "You don't even have a single person looking after you. How did you end up so pathetic?" Declan finally opened his mouth to reply, "It's lunchtime." The implication was that his caretaker had gone to eat. So what? A billionaire heir didn't even have a rotating shift of caretakers. Once I was done, I pulled up a chair and sat down to face him. The redness in his eyes had faded. I stared at him, my gaze trailing from his hair all the way down to his legs. Maybe my eyes lingered on his legs for too long. Declan spoke up on his own. "They're useless. The doctors say I'll be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life." His voice was calm, devoid of any fluctuation. I didn't want to know how many agonizing days and nights it took for him to accept his new reality. To be able to say it so naturally. I finally lifted my lowered gaze. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Silently, they fell, drop by drop. The mask of cruel indifference I had been wearing finally shattered. Declan’s gaze flickered, his tightly pressed lips parting slightly. He said softly, "What are you crying for? I'm not dead yet." I lunged at him, wrapping my arms around him. I stopped suppressing my sobs. Declan didn't push me away. His arms hung limply by his sides, his hands clenched into fists. Five years ago, when I was about to study abroad, he hugged me for the first time. It was a farewell, but also an act of charity. Back then, his chest was broad and warm. Now, the man I was holding was practically skin and bones. He felt fragile. And cold. 02 "Declan, let's get married." Coming out of the bathroom after wiping away my tears, my topic shifted drastically. Declan, who had been staring out the window, snapped his gaze back to me. I continued: "You're an outcast to your family now." "They can't wait for you to stay in the mud and never climb back out." "You must know that everyone out there is laughing at how you have nothing left." "Laughing at your illegitimate brother taking your place as heir. Laughing at your father's mistress moving into the estate your mother left you. Laughing at the girl you chose, who swore she didn't care about money, running away." "I heard Serena Blair just got engaged to Nate Thorne, the guy who used to call you his brother... It hasn't even been a month..." "What's wrong? Are you mad?" My words turned the coldness in Declan’s eyes to pure ice. I did it on purpose. I wanted to rip his scabs right off. "Declan, let me be your trump card." "Marry me, forge an alliance between our families, and you can protect yourself." I looked him dead in the eye, determined to win. He would agree. I was the absolute best and most correct choice for him right now. Declan closed his eyes, drowning the ice in them. His dark eyes became as still as a deep pool. He asked me, "What do you want?" I stared at him unabashedly until he had to look away. He knew exactly what I wanted. "You know what I want." "I've always just wanted you." Declan let out a sudden, short laugh. He mocked himself, "You want me, but I'm a cripple now." "You're making a bad investment." I stared dead center at his crotch. I said bluntly, "Your legs are paralyzed, not your reproductive organs." Declan, who was always so aloof and proper, looked absolutely shell-shocked. My outrageous comment left him speechless for a moment. A faint flush actually crept up his pale neck. Declan smoothly pulled the blanket over his lower half. Blocking my view. His reaction made me want to tease him even more. I pretended to think for a moment, then said, "How about... I inspect the merchandise?" Declan sounded slightly exasperated. "Hazel Sterling!" I smiled at him brightly. Not feeling a shred of embarrassment for my bold words. "Declan, right now, I am the only one who can help you turn this game around." "Have you thought it through?" Declan raised his eyes and stared at me quietly. A long silence stretched between us. Two months ago, Declan was in a horrific car accident. He barely survived, but his legs were destroyed. From now on, he would be confined to a wheelchair. Who was Declan Vance? He was the legitimate, firstborn son of the wealthiest man in the city. He had the pedigree, the looks, and a brilliant mind. He was the undisputed leader of the younger generation in our elite circles. He was the untouchable Mr. Vance. His future was limitless, his brilliance blinding. But one car accident dragged this golden boy into the dirt. The news of his paralysis changed the winds instantly. His illegitimate half-brother was legitimized and took his place in the family conglomerate. His long-term girlfriend abandoned him. They broke up immediately, and within a month, she was engaged to someone else. His so-called best friends kicked him while he was down. Overnight, Declan lost everyone. Everyone was treating him like a joke. When I heard the news, I caught the first flight back from Europe. I ran to see him the second I landed. I proposed a marriage alliance. It was a transaction, but it was also entirely for my own selfish desires. With my family backing him, those opportunistic, greedy relatives and friends of his would have to think twice. It was the only way he could keep his title as the true heir. 03 After a long silence. Declan said flatly, "Even if I have no feelings for you, you still want to use marriage as a trade?" I smiled, calm and resolute. "Yes." Feelings could be nurtured. Declan was a good man. Even if his legs were ruined, I didn't care. Because I really, really liked him. I loved him to the point where I couldn't extricate myself. When you meet someone who vibrates your body, mind, and soul, you realize that love is completely out of your control. My crush on Declan was an open secret in our social circle. Almost everyone knew. Declan knew it too. We were childhood friends, from equal social standings. But the childhood friend never beats the sudden newcomer. The moment he chose to accept Serena, I vanished from his world. I didn't blame him, nor did I hate him. In the past, he always kept his distance from me, never giving me false hope. A person with unrequited love has no right to demand anything, nor the right to complain. I left for five years, thinking I could finally let him go. But the moment I saw him again, I realized I couldn't. When you meet someone too breathtaking in your youth, it's hard to forget them for the rest of your life. "Alright, we have a deal." Declan held out his hand, offering a formal handshake. His hands, much like the rest of him, were beautiful. But the gesture felt too distant, too jarring. I reached out, and instead of a polite handshake, I intertwined my fingers with his. Holding on tight. I smiled at him. "Stamp of approval." 04 The news of my upcoming wedding to Declan spread like wildfire. The vultures and hyenas circling him immediately backed off. I visited the hospital every day. Always bringing fresh flowers. Today, it was a bouquet of sunflowers. Declan was sitting up in bed, working on his laptop. His long fingers tapped rapidly across the black keys. His expression was calm and focused. After arranging the flowers, I just stared at him. Feeling uncomfortable under my gaze, he frowned. "Can you stop staring at me?" I gave him an innocent look. "I can't. I can't control myself." "Unless you let me kiss you, then I'll stop looking." Declan shot me a side-eye. He saw right through my little tricks. He pressed his lips together, saying nothing. Deciding to just ignore my staring. I sighed, making no effort to hide my disappointment. The clicking of the keyboard was exceptionally clear in the quiet room. I knew he was racing against time to take back what was his. Even with ruined legs, Declan wasn't going to be crushed so easily. He was wearing a light blue hospital gown that hung loosely on him. He had lost a lot of weight recently. It made his facial features look even sharper and more profound. His collarbone was prominent, rising and falling slightly with his breaths. The small, dark mole right between his collarbones stood out starkly against his pale skin. It drew my eyes like a magnet. Just as I was thoroughly distracted. A pair of long, elegant fingers reached up and buttoned his collar all the way to the top. I looked at him, frustrated. There was absolutely no need to guard against me like this. It wasn't like I was going to unleash my inner beast and devour him right here in the hospital. Even though I'd been drooling over him for years. I huffed, "You won't let me look now, but once we're married, I'm just going to rip it right open." Declan’s fingers paused. He looked at me, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. "Hazel, what exactly did you learn abroad these past few years?" In the past, I used to be a bit of a spoiled princess. Between my own brothers and my cousins, I had nine older brothers. I was the only girl in my generation. I was sheltered, fiercely protected, and definitely had a bit of a temper. But in front of Declan, I used to blush so easily. I was so well-behaved. Nothing like how I was acting now. "I learned a lot. I can send you my syllabus if you want," I teased, playing with his words. He gave me a look and ignored me. Turning his attention back to his screen. I cut up some fruit and handed it to him. He took a few bites and stopped. He closed his laptop, massaging his temples in exhaustion. I volunteered eagerly, "I can massage them for you." I reached out, but Declan grabbed my hand mid-air. He looked at me, his expression serious. "What's wrong?" I asked. He said somewhat abruptly, "Go downstairs and buy me a drink." "What kind?" "...Coffee." I was a bit surprised. "Coffee?" He never liked coffee. He only drank tea. Facing my confusion, Declan confirmed, "Yes, coffee." I didn't think too much about it. Five years had passed; it was normal for habits to change. I got up and left the room. I took the elevator down. Just as I stepped out of the elevator, I slammed on the brakes. I forgot my phone. Sighing, I turned right back around. When I returned, I noticed the privacy curtain around Declan's bed was drawn closed. My heart tightened. Afraid something had happened, my mind was filled with panic and worry. I rushed in frantically. And yanked the curtain open. The scene before me made me freeze completely. My pupils contracted, my mind going entirely blank. I stood there, paralyzed, unable to react. The sound of a toilet flushing echoed from the bathroom. My eyes were glued to Declan’s hands. With one hand, he was holding himself, and with the other, he was using a wet wipe to clean up. The moment I burst in, he froze. Declan closed his eyes, fighting to suppress his emotions. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he ground out, "Get out." His tone was restrained but simmered with hidden rage. I snapped out of my daze, turning around in a blind panic and stumbling out. With my back to him, my thoughts were a chaotic mess. After a brief flash of embarrassment, my overwhelming feeling was anxiety. I worried that barging in had injured Declan’s pride. I worried I had humiliated him. I cursed myself for being so reckless. I racked my brain for something comforting to say. Something to ease the tension and lighten the mood. After agonizing over it, what blurted out of my mouth was: "Um... it's really big." The hospital room fell dead silent. Just as I was internally slapping myself for being an idiot. Declan’s voice drifted coldly through the curtain. "What, have you seen other guys' to compare it to?" I was stunned for a second. Other guys? I've been wronged! I quickly defended myself, "I have not!" I mean, even if I hadn't eaten pork, I’ve seen pigs run. I had some basic conceptual knowledge. I turned around and yelled at the curtain, "I've only ever seen yours!" Silence fell over the room again. I realized this conversation was taking a very weird turn. Why was I arguing with Declan about this? "Ms. Sterling?" The caretaker stepping out of the bathroom shattered the silence and the awkwardness. When the curtain was finally pulled back, Declan was fully dressed. He shot me a fleeting, unreadable look. I was too embarrassed to meet his eyes. I rushed over to the nightstand, snatched my phone. And dropped a hasty, "I'm going to get your coffee." Then I practically sprinted away. 05 The day before Declan was discharged, I ran into Serena at the hospital. We brushed past each other, and it took me a few seconds to realize it was her. She didn't seem to notice me, or maybe she just didn't recognize me. I was instantly pulled back to five years ago. Declan was three years older than me. When I took my SATs, I wanted to apply to his university. But just three days after I excitedly shared my college list with him, Declan went public with Serena. My mood tanked the moment she appeared. Snapping back to the present, I walked into Declan’s room, pretending nothing happened. There was a new fruit basket in the room. I asked casually, "Who stopped by?" Declan replied flatly, "A former subordinate. Nobody important." I frowned inwardly. He was lying to me. The fruit was from Serena, yet he claimed it was from a subordinate. Annoyed, I walked up to him and muttered, "Declan." "Hmm?" He didn't even look up, his eyes glued to his phone. "We're getting married soon. It wouldn't be out of line for me to kiss you, right?" "What?" The moment Declan looked up, I kissed him on the cheek. I aimed for his lips, but he dodged fast, so I only caught his cheek. His face flushed bright red. "Hazel, we are in a hospital." I gave him a shameless grin. "No one saw. And even if they did, so what? I'm kissing my fiancé." "Loud and proud." ... After being discharged, Declan didn't return to the Vance family estate. Instead, he moved into a riverside mansion his late mother had left him. Before he moved in, the mansion had been heavily remodeled to accommodate his wheelchair. I visited him during the day. And went home in the evening. Even though I desperately wanted to stay and take care of him 24/7, let alone Declan disagreeing, my brothers would have absolutely forbidden it. My oldest brother, Mason, warned me, "If you aren't home by eight, I will personally come pick you up." I laughed nervously, "Mason, you're a busy CEO. Don't waste your time on me, I'll come home." Mason smiled warmly. "It's fine. If I'm busy, one of the others isn't." I smiled sweetly to his face. "You're the best, Mason." But turning around, I wanted to cry. Having too many older brothers was a real burden. Declan’s mansion was a forty-five-minute drive from my house. I had already gotten my license, so I drove myself. The staff at the mansion all knew me. I came and went as I pleased. Lately, my biggest hobby was teasing and flirting with Declan. While also making sure I pushed him out to the courtyard for some fresh air every day. However, after visiting religiously every single day, I hadn't been there for two days. Two days ago, I was at Declan’s house, video chatting with my best friend. She sounded exasperated. "Hazel, you're so insanely lovesick!" "His legs are paralyzed and you're still sticking by him. You're crazy." I laughed, "But I just really, really like Declan." "I have money. I can easily support him and take care of him." My best friend countered, "No, I mean you seriously want to marry him." "How are you guys going to handle... you know, your sex life after you're married?" My friend had zero filter and said whatever was on her mind. I replied casually, "It's fine. It's not a big deal." "First of all, his physical... endowments are spectacular. I've seen it." "Second of all, I've been great at horseback riding since I was a kid." My best friend was absolutely floored by my bold claims. "Hazel, you don't even blush saying stuff like this anymore." I kept gossiping shamelessly with my best friend until my phone battery died. When I finally hung up and turned around, I froze. Declan, who was supposed to be inside, was sitting right there in the courtyard. Obviously, he had heard all my filthy, shameless bragging. Mr. Hayes, the secretary pushing his wheelchair, nervously adjusted his glasses. He looked at me, suppressing a smile. Declan’s gaze made me want to melt into the floor. My face burned violently, and I turned and bolted. 06 Today, when I arrived, I ran into Declan’s right-hand man, Mr. Hayes. He was a plain-looking but incredibly mild-mannered man. Seeing me, he smiled and said hello. I nodded and started heading upstairs. "Ms. Sterling." Mr. Hayes called out after he had already walked a few steps away. I gave him a questioning look. He warned me quietly, "Mr. Vance is in a very bad mood today. You might want to wait a while before going up to see him." I was stunned for a second. Then I said, "I understand." Mr. Hayes turned and left. I looked up at the second floor, deep in thought. After hesitating for a few seconds, I walked upstairs anyway. Declan spent most of his time working in his study. I softened my footsteps and approached slowly. When I reached the door to the study, I stopped dead in my tracks. Declan was in his wheelchair, his back to me. He was facing the window. Outside, the sky was dark and overcast. The lights in the room were off, casting a gloomy, oppressive shadow. It turned his solitary silhouette into a bleak, black-and-white photograph. I felt a sudden, suffocating wave of melancholy. Just as I opened my mouth to call out to him, the words died in my throat. It felt like I was choking. It hurt. Declan placed his hands on the armrests of his wheelchair, trying to force himself to stand. His legs had no strength, and he ultimately crashed back into the seat. He tried again and again. And failed, time and time again. I watched him sit in the wheelchair, his spine curving, his head hanging low. And he started to laugh. Outside, lightning flashed, and thunder rumbled. It swallowed Declan’s bitter laughter. But it couldn't swallow the agonizing tragedy that had befallen him. I stood at the door, tears streaming down my face. Terrified he would notice me, I covered my mouth and turned away. I leaned against the cold, white wall, stifling my sobs. 07 It wasn't until I heard the sound of the wheelchair turning that I quickly ducked into a nearby guest room. Declan came out of the study and went into his own bedroom. Soon after, the sound of running water came from the bathroom. I cautiously stepped out of the guest room. Driven by some unseen force, I walked into Declan’s study. The study was a mess. Not only were documents scattered across the floor, but there was also a shattered glass mug. It was obvious the person in this room had been furious and devastated. My eyes swept across the room. They stopped when I spotted a jarring splash of red on the desk. It was a wedding invitation. For Serena Blair and Nate Thorne. Declan’s computer was still on, the screen open to a chat window. 【No matter how great you used to be, it doesn't change the fact that you're a cripple now. You don't deserve her.】 In an instant, I understood everything. Today was Serena’s engagement party. And Nate had actually texted him to mock him, cruelly ripping open his deepest wounds.
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