Chapter 1

A day before the dance competition, Natalie Carter was dragged into the alley by a group of thugs. She was covered in blood by the time she was rescued.

In the end, she was diagnosed with severely deformed and twisted legs and permanent deafness in her left ear, and she would need to live with a catheter for the rest of her life.

Natalie would never be able to dance again.

Jayden Carter, her older brother who loved her dearly, flew into a rage and swore that he would make them pay. Logan Hall, her fiancé, who pampered her the most, was heartbroken and immediately called in the world's best medical team to treat her.

But on the third day, while Natalie was pushing her wheelchair around the corner of the stairs, she overheard their conversation.

"Are you crazy? We only agreed to make Natalie miss the competition, but now she has to live with a catheter forever!" It was Logan's voice.

Before Natalie could make sense of what they meant by "making her miss the competition", the next moment, Jayden's voice came through the smoke.

"Those thugs really went too far, but wasn't the result just great? This time, Clara will definitely win the competition!"

"But—"

Jayden said, "There's nothing to think about. Natalie's been spoiled since she was young. I'm her biological older brother, and you're her fiancé. Her early life was carefree with the both of us protecting her—she won't suffer even if she has ended up crippled in her later years.

"But it's different for Clara—she's just an adopted daughter who's had to live cautiously since she was a child.

"She's now set on winning that dance championship, but Natalie is too outstanding—she's a hindrance. Clara has no other choice but to rely on me. I can't let anyone get in her way.

Jayden continued, "We're best friends, Logan. Our bond should be strong enough to withstand any woman who comes between us.

"I know you like Natalie and are about to marry her, but didn't you also promise me that you wouldn't let your feelings for her mess with Clara's future?"

Logan stayed silent for the longest time. Eventually, he sighed as if he were convincing himself.

"Alright. The pain has been keeping Natalie awake every night. You should get the doctors to give her the best painkillers."

The two of them put out their cigarettes and walked away. The silence around Natalie was deafening, and all she could hear was the sound of her own heart pounding loudly.

It turned out her running into the thugs in the alley hadn't been a coincidence—it was a carefully planned trap.

And the masterminds behind everything were the two people she trusted the most.

Natalie parted her lips to scream or cry, yet despite all the rage and despair, all that came out was a soft, helpless whimper.

Before today, she'd been comforting herself that everything was okay even after she'd gone through such a painful ordeal. After all, she still had her brother and fiancé—the two people who loved her the most.

But now, they were saying that Natalie's painful ordeal—one that had left her with a battered mind and body—was all thanks to them.

Her eyes were brimming with tears as she sat trembling in her wheelchair. She almost passed out from the pain. She couldn't understand how everything came to this.

Natalie used to be the pride of the Carter family.

Jayden had raised her like a precious gem, never once willing to speak harshly to her. Meanwhile, Logan had spoiled her endlessly, telling her that he wouldn't marry unless it was to her.

She'd lived like a rose in a greenhouse—delicate and full of innocent faith that someone would always be there to protect her from the harsh realities of the world.

Everything had changed when she was 14. That was the year her parents had brought Clara Johnson, the only daughter of their good friend who'd passed away, to their home.

The thin and petite girl, dressed in a washed-out dress, had stood in the Carters' living room with her head hung low. She'd softly greeted her, "Hi, Natalie."

Natalie had even clipped her favorite hairpin onto Clara's hair naively. She never imagined that her shy and delicate-looking younger sister would one day become the biggest heartbreak of her life.

It had started with small things.

Clara had broken the antique vase that Zoey Glimmer, Natalie's mother, had left behind. Yet, she'd tearfully accused Natalie of breaking it. She'd lost Natalie's competition pass but pouted and claimed that it was by accident.

And every time, Jayden would frown and tell Natalie not to make a fuss. Meanwhile, Logan would rub his temples and sigh, telling her that Clara didn't do it on purpose and asking her to be patient with the latter.

However, things had only gotten worse.

After Natalie had stayed up late preparing for a competition, the award had ended up going to Clara.

Natalie had worked tirelessly for a solo dance performance, but Clara had been the one standing beneath the spotlight.

Natalie could only helplessly watch as everything that once belonged to her gradually slipped into Clara's hands.

She'd even ironically thought that she just wasn't good enough.

But only today did Natalie start to realize the truth. Everything she'd cherished had been carefully handed over to Clara by the two people she'd trusted the most.

Her excellence was a mistake, and her talent was a crime. She was born to pave the way for Clara as her stepping stone.

However, Logan was Natalie's fiancé, and Jayden was her own older brother. Clara was nothing more than an adopted daughter.

They'd become her only support after her parents passed away. But now, they were the ones who crushed her with their own hands.

Now that everything had turned out like this for her, Natalie didn't know what her reason for living was anymore.

She was in a daze as she pushed her wheelchair with trembling hands. Just as she'd made up her mind to push herself and the wheelchair off the staircase, her phone suddenly rang. An unknown number appeared on the screen.

Natalie let it ring for a while before finally accepting the call. "Hello?"

"Hello, Ms. Carter." A gentle male voice came from the other end of the line. "I'm calling from Nova Medical Research Institute."

"Yes?"

"We've heard about the accidents you've been through." The man softly asked, "Would you be willing to become one of our test subjects?"

Natalie laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks. "Am I not miserable enough now?"

"No. Our new drug can give you a second chance at life," the man replied.

"What?"

"Bone regeneration, hearing restoration, and even—" the man paused before continuing, "the opportunity to be on stage again."

Natalie's heart skipped a beat. "Why me?"

"That's because…" the man fell silent before gritting out, "only those who've been completely shattered are worth getting a rebirth."

Natalie froze, finally stopping herself from pushing her wheelchair. She numbly looked out the window, where the sun shone brightly, making her tear up.

After a while, she gripped her phone and replied, "Alright, I'll do it!"

Chapter 2

The man was delighted and indicated that they would come to get Natalie after some time.

After agreeing, Natalie quietly ended the call and returned to her ward as if she hadn't heard anything.

In the days that followed, Logan and Jayden treated her with endless care and affection until the day she was discharged.

…

That day, Logan went down on his knee as he helped Natalie put on a pair of cotton socks. His fingers carefully avoided the wounds on her legs, moving gently as if he were handling a fragile porcelain.

"Does it hurt?" He looked up, eyes filled with heartbreak.

Natalie shook her head numbly.

"The discharge is all set." Jayden walked in with a brand-new coat. "It's windy outside. You should bundle up, Natalie."

As he bent down to drape the coat over Natalie, she caught a whiff of a familiar cologne. It was the gift she'd given him on his 18th birthday.

A sudden wave of nausea surged within her. She had to bite down on her lips to stop herself from vomiting on the spot.

The wheelchair rolled over the smooth floor of the hospital lobby, and Natalie could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on her. The catheter hung from the side of the wheelchair, making a soft rustling sound with each movement.

A passerby's curious glance landed longer than necessary on her. Jayden's face instantly turned cold. "What are you looking at?"

Logan's palm covered her eyes. "Don't be afraid now."

His voice was beyond gentle as he said, "We'll protect you."

Natalie was shaking—she wasn't sure if it was out of fury or sadness. If she hadn't heard it with her own ears, she wouldn't have believed that the two people who protected her like this were the ones who'd pushed her into the hell she was living in now.

"Wait for us here, Natalie." Logan pushed her toward the shaded area by the entrance. "We'll go get the car."

Natalie watched as they walked away before suddenly spinning her wheelchair away. She would rather crawl away than continue taking in their fake kindness.

The moment her wheelchair rounded the corner of the hospital, a familiar voice drifted over from a corner of the parking lot.

"Have all of Natalie's scandals been leaked?" Jayden's voice was cold.

"Yes." Logan replied hesitantly, "Natalie's condition is already bad enough. Is it really necessary for us to make up those scandals to humiliate her?"

"Of course it's necessary!" Jayden barked, "She needs to be completely ruined in the dance industry—it's the only way to make sure she never poses a threat to Clara again."

The wheelchair slammed hard into the wall. Natalie covered her mouth, tasting blood across her tongue.

She was shocked to find that they not only wanted to destroy her life but also wanted to tarnish her reputation.

Natalie frantically spun her wheelchair around, desperate to leave—only to crash into the crowd of reporters waiting outside the hospital.

"Ms. Carter! Is it true that you're in this condition because you were having relations with multiple partners?"

"Can you explain your relationship with those men?"

"Aren't you ashamed of living so promiscuously as a dancer?"

At that moment, a group of crazed fans suddenly surged forward, shoving through the crowd. They began hurling insults at Natalie as they beat her up.

"I must have been blind to have adored you, Natalie. You're so fucking disgusting!"

"Since you're willing to be with those people, does that mean you'll sleep with us too?"

Before Natalie knew it, countless hands were violently tearing at her clothes.

"No… don't touch me!" she screamed fearfully, pushing away the grabbing hands but to no avail.

She fell to the ground with the sound of fabric ripping. Her body, covered in gruesome wounds, was now laid bare for everyone to see.

A wave of overwhelming shame washed over her as she struggled to breathe, the pain making it hard for her to catch her breath.

"Oh, that's so disgusting! She's even using a urine bag!"

"Oh my god, hurry and take photos! Let's show the Internet how dirty their dance fairy is in private!"

After a moment of silence, the voices of disgust and contempt poured in, each like a loud slap which made Natalie's ears ring.

She couldn't hear anything else. Salty tears fell uncontrollably, seeping into her wounds and stinging her painfully.

"Move away, all of you!" Logan snapped as he rushed past the crowd and pulled Natalie into his arms, shielding her with his body.

Meanwhile, Jayden forcefully shoved the reporters away. His expression darkened as he barked, "Security! Where's the damn security?"

They played their parts so well that Natalie couldn't find a single fault. She was the only one who knew they'd orchestrated the whole thing from the start.

They wanted to ruin her completely, destroy her reputation, and paint her as a promiscuous woman who could never see the light again.

Meanwhile, Clara, whom they'd pampered dearly, would take her place on the brightest stage, basking in the love and adoration of the world.

Clearly, they had succeeded.

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.

Chapter 4

A sharp cat's cry sliced through the night, and Jayden's hand, which was lifting the burlap sack, froze.

Logan let out a relieved sigh. "It's just a stray cat."

In the dark, Natalie's nails cut deep into her palm, and blood oozed through her fingers, leaving dark red stains on the burlap sack.

…

As morning light filtered through the gap in the curtains, Natalie quietly stared at the fresh bruises on her legs.

"What happened?" She pointed at the painful-looking marks, yet her tone was eerily calm.

Jayden's gaze flickered as he replied, "Maybe… you didn't sleep well last night and fell down from the bed?"

Logan hurriedly changed the topic. "It's your birthday next week, Natalie. Is there anything you want?"

He crouched down and took Natalie's hand gently, the way he always did. "I'll throw you the biggest birthday party, okay?"

She recalled the birthday parties she had before she was 14. Back then, she would wear a custom-made dress. Jayden would personally put a diamond tiara on her head, while Logan would get down on his knee to help her put on glass slippers.

But ever since Clara had shown up, everything had changed. She'd become the person showered with attention at parties.

"No need," Natalie softly replied.

"We can't have that!" Jayden and Logan replied in unison, their gazes burning with passion as if they truly cared for her.

Logan gave Natalie's hand a squeeze. "We'll throw you the biggest party ever!"

…

In the following days, both Jayden and Logan were out early and home late. Even Clara was nowhere to be seen.

Natalie watched with cold detachment as they hurried about until her birthday came.

"This is the dress and jewelry I prepared for you, Natalie." Logan hurriedly set an exquisite gift box down. "I'll get the safety seat ready. We can leave once you're done getting changed."

After the door closed, Natalie noticed that he had left his phone on the bed. Her blood froze when the screen lit up.

It was a three-person group chat glaringly titled "Sunshine and Her Two Knights".

The latest message was a photo from Clara. "Does my dress look good, Jay and Logan?"

With a trembling hand, Natalie scrolled up, only to find several other messages—Clara's selfie under the Ayfe Tower, a photo of Jayden hugging her while they ate ice cream, and a video of Logan putting a diamond necklace around her neck.

It turned out that the "preparations" over the past few days had just been an excuse for them to go on a trip to Eurostra with Clara.

Meanwhile, the dress in Natalie's hands had the word "gift" printed on the tag.

Tears fell onto the phone screen as she stiffly placed it back.

When Logan came back, he was surprised to find Natalie hadn't gotten changed yet. Before he could ask, she softly said, "My legs are too ugly. I don't want to get changed."

"Don't say that." He cupped her face carefully and said, "You'll always be my princess."

After that, Logan had the household staff help her into the dress and jewelry. He then wheeled her into the car.

…

The banquet hall looked magnificent, but no one spared a glance at Natalie, the birthday girl in her wheelchair.

All the while, Jayden stayed by Clara's side as she cut the cake, while Logan was busy adjusting her dress.

Natalie felt like an outsider, watching her own birthday party turn into another woman's spotlight.

Suddenly, the ground started shaking violently.

"Earthquake!" Panic erupted in the crowd.

Natalie watched helplessly as Jayden and Logan rushed toward Clara.

Her wheelchair was toppled. The moment the ceiling came crashing down, she vaguely heard Logan's distant cries, "Natalie!"

Darkness enveloped everything.

"The aftershock is coming! Both women are trapped—who do we save first?" came the rescue worker's frantic voice. "Ms. Carter is in a more dangerous position—she might lose her limbs if we don't get her out in time!"

"Just let her lose them." Jayden's calm voice sounded cruel. "Save Clara first."

Chapter 5

"Have you lost your mind?" Logan's voice trembled as he spoke. "Natalie is already crippled. She cares about her appearance so much, yet you're letting her get amputated. Do you want her to die?"

Jayden replied, "I know you love Natalie, Logan. But don't forget who was the one who saved us from the fire five years ago. Both of us would've been dead if it wasn't for Clara, who fought to save us!"

Natalie's eyes widened amidst the rubble.

She was the one who'd risked everything to drag the two of them out of that fire five years ago. But they'd mistaken her for Clara. Was that the reason they'd favored Clara all along?

In the end, they finally reached a consensus after a heated argument. "Save Clara first!"

In the dark, Natalie opened her eyes and watched as the rescue team's light gradually faded into the distance. They carried Clara away in such a hurry that they didn't even spare a glance at the rubble behind them.

The ceiling came crashing down when the aftershock hit, and with it, she lost consciousness completely.

…

Natalie opened her eyes in the midst of the searing pain. The bright fluorescent light on the ceiling hurt her eyes, making them water.

She instinctively reached down to touch her legs, relieved to find that they were still intact.

"We wouldn't have been able to keep your legs if you'd arrived half an hour later." While changing her bandages, the nurse said, "You're so lucky to be alive, Ms. Carter."

Natalie stared at the white ceiling as she smiled bitterly. She would rather die in that earthquake than be alive.

Suddenly, the door to the ward burst open, and Jayden and Logan rushed in, their faces etched with faux worry.

"Natalie!" Jayden grabbed her hand. "It was too chaotic back then, and we couldn't see you—"

Logan dropped to one knee by the bedside, gently brushing his hand over her leg, which was in a cast. "I'm sorry, Natalie. I won't let you out of my sight ever again!"

Natalie slowly retrieved her hand, her gaze empty and hollow. She didn't want to hear their poorly-crafted lies at all.

"Natalie?" Logan, finally realizing something was off, said in a trembling voice, "Please say something."

But all he was met with was complete silence.

…

For a good three days, Natalie remained like a delicate puppet—she didn't cry, laugh, or speak.

Jayden eventually panicked and insisted on taking her for a full-body checkup.

"She seems normal physically." The doctor adjusted his glasses and replied, "But I recommend seeing a psychologist."

Jayden tugged at his tie in frustration as soon as the door to the counseling room closed. "Is it really that serious? I can't believe she even has to see a psychologist now!"

"Mr. Carter." The doctor walked out with the diagnosis report, looking somber. "The patient is suffering from severe depression with suicidal tendencies."

"What?" Jayden looked as if he'd been struck by lightning. "How could she suffer from depression from just a small matter?"

Logan punched the wall, blood seeping out from his knuckles. "Small matter? Something that crippled her, forced her to quit dancing, and caused her to live with a catheter—and you're saying that it's a small matter? She was perfectly fine, and yet we pushed her to this—"

His eyes were red as he grabbed Jayden by his collar. "Natalie is the woman I've been protecting with everything I have, Jayden! This is the last time I'm listening to you. Even if Clara saved my life, my debt to her has been paid. I won't listen to you and hurt Natalie anymore, no matter what!"

"She's my biological sister!" Jayden angrily yelled, "Do you think I want to treat her this way? I'm doing this all for Clara!"

He released his grip with a defeated sigh. "Fine, now that Clara has won the dance championship, Natalie will no longer be in her way. We'll just treat Natalie better from now on."