The CEO in My Old Wheelchair

She's been crippled for four years, and I've waited on her for four years. At some point, the debt is paid, right?

The thought of her legs... that dead flesh... it makes me sick. Why couldn't it have been me?

I recoiled, shrinking behind a decorative pillar as the words sliced through the cool night air. A calm, otherworldly voice echoed in my mind.

The four-year contract is complete. Does the host wish to renew?

My own voice, a silent scream in my head, was immediate. System, I want my legs back.

Understood. Initiating contract termination.

1

It was my birthday. Id been sitting alone with the small, perfect cake for what felt like an eternity. Leo had texted that he was almost there, but the minutes stretched into an hour, and his shadow never darkened the door.

Finally, I gave up. With a weary sigh, I maneuvered my wheelchair out of the apartment and down the service elevator. I was just pulling out my phone to call him when I saw him standing near the building's entrance.

A surge of relief washed over me. I was about to call his name, a happy, forgiving sound, but I paused. He wasn't alone. He was deep in conversation with a few of his friends.

Must be work, I thought, a familiar pang of disappointment settling in my chest. Thats why hes late.

I wheeled myself closer, staying in the shadows of the manicured hedges, and their words began to drift towards me. They weren't talking about work. They were talking about me.

Leo, man, I dont think Claire can wait much longer, one of them said.

Claire? Who was Claire?

Im not going to make her wait much longer.

The men standing with Leo were his two closest friends, his self-proclaimed brothers, Mark and Evan.

Mark clapped him on the shoulder, his voice booming. Youve finally made up your mind? Its about damn time!

When Leo nodded, a slow, deliberate motion, a grin split Marks face.

Seriously, man, I thought you were never going to get rid of Audrey. These past few years, youve been climbing the ladder, building an empire and shes still just a cripple. The gap between you two is bigger than the Grand Canyon.

I flinched at the word, but I wasn't surprised. I knew his friends had never liked me, had always seen me as a weight around his ankles. Still, I clung to the belief that their crude opinions couldn't possibly unravel the bond Leo and I shared.

I was wrong. So terribly wrong.

Four years, Leo said, and the sound of his voice was like a stone dropping into a deep, cold well. He let out a long breath, a sound of profound release. Shes been crippled for four years, and Ive waited on her for four years. At some point, the debt is paid, right?

A silent explosion detonated in my skull. I stared at his silhouette, unable to process, unable to believe.

Im just glad you see it clearly, man, Mark continued. I swear, if it was me, she would have driven me insane by now.

You have no idea, Leo muttered, shaking his head. A disabled person theres a smell. It's stale, medicinal. We have that chair professionally cleaned every week, but the scent never really leaves. Its in the apartment, on the sheets I cant stand it anymore.

Even Evan, who was usually quiet and reserved, let out a dry chuckle. Youve had it rough, Leo. The fact that you still had to sleep in the same bed with her makes me want to puke just thinking about it.

The slight curve of Leos lips, visible even in the dim light, was a dagger in my heart.

Dont even get me started, he said, his voice laced with a bitterness Id never heard before. I wish it had been me who was paralyzed that day. I dont get why she had to save me. If she hadnt thrown herself at me, maybe we both would have walked away fine. Or maybe this was her plan all along, right? A way to make me owe her forever.

He was right, and he was wrong.

Four years ago, Leo was crossing the street, his head buried in his phone. An out-of-control delivery truck was barreling toward him. In a split second of pure instinct, I screamed his name and launched myself at him.

But I was a fraction of a second too late.

The impact sent us flying. When I came to, Leo was a ruin of blood and twisted limbs, his legs crushed into something unrecognizable. He was such a proud man, an alpha in every sense of the word. His business was just taking off, his empire just beginning to rise. He needed those legs.

I remember the moment with perfect, chilling clarity.

System, I pleaded, my own body broken and bleeding on the asphalt. Give him my legs. Take mine and give them to him.

Host, this exchange is irreversible.

Hell go insane if he wakes up like this. He needs them more than I do.

All this time, Leo believed the truck had destroyed my legs. He never knew the truth.

They were a gift. A sacrifice I made willingly.

I pressed myself deeper into the shadows, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Leos voice cut through the air again. Four years. Four. Fucking. Years. Every single day has been torture. Now, just looking at her face makes my stomach turn.

We should take you out, man, Mark offered. Blow off some steam. Lets hit Vertex.

Leo immediately shook his head. Cant. Its Audreys birthday. After tonight after this one last birthday, we can finally be done. Its a clean break, you know?

The rest of their conversation blurred into a dull roar in my ears. I dont remember wheeling myself back to the elevator, dont remember getting back inside the apartment.

When Leo finally came in, he was a whirlwind of apologies and excuses. As we sat at the small table with the birthday cake between us, his phone was a constant presence, his eyes flicking down to the screen every few seconds. Hed always told me it was work, and Id always believed him. Now, the lie was laughably transparent.

Whos Claire? I asked, my voice flat.

His head snapped up. His eyes, for a fleeting moment, held a flicker of something unreadablepanic, maybe guilt. It was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by a familiar mask of annoyance.

What are you talking about?

Im just asking. Is it a secret?

He quickly recalibrated, forcing a warm, patient smile that didnt reach his eyes. Honey, youre misunderstanding. Shes just a business partner. Speaking of which, somethings come up. I I have to step out for a bit.

But its my birthday. My voice was barely a whisper. I just wanted to finish this one last meal with him, to preserve the illusion for a few more minutes.

A wave of irritation washed over his features, barely concealed. You already blew out the candles, didnt you? Be a good girl, Audrey. Ill be back before you know it.

He smiled, reached out to pat my head, and then snatched his hand back as if hed touched something hot. He turned and walked out without another word.

I wheeled myself to the window and watched him step onto the sidewalk. I saw him take out a handkerchief and furiously wipe the hand that had just touched my hair. Then he bent over, retching into the bushes.

I looked at my own useless legs, my expression calm, my heart a frozen block of ice.

System, can I get them back now?

Host, your current accumulated points are insufficient. A random mission has been generated. Please proceed to Vertex Lounge.

I didnt hesitate. I changed my clothes and left. But when I arrived at the entrance to the sleek, thrumming nightclub, my courage failed me. The bouncer eyed my wheelchair with a mixture of pity and disdain. I felt a desperate urge to flee.

The Systems voice, impersonal and insistent, prodded me forward. I finally pushed through the doors.

The chaotic energy of the club was a sensory assault. I tried to find a quiet corner, but someone stumbled backward, crashing into my chair.

What the hell? A cripple? a man slurred, scowling down at me. They let anyone in here now? Get the hell out of the way!

Yeah, whats a gimp doing in a club? Move it! his friend chimed in.

I stammered apologies, my face burning with shame. I tried to turn and leave, to find another way out, but a strong hand clamped down on the handle of my wheelchair, stopping me cold.

It was Leo.

What are you doing here? His voice wasnt a question. It was an interrogation.

It was so quiet at home, I said, my voice small. I just wanted to go somewhere.

Mark sauntered over, a drink in his hand, a superior smirk on his face. Audrey, come on. You cant just go somewhere like this. This isnt a place for someone like you. Cant you give Leo a break, just for one night?

I used to come here all the time, I said, my voice gaining a bit of strength. Before the accident. I just wanted to see it again.

That was before, Mark shot back, his voice dripping with condescension. Now youre a useless burden. Youre just getting in everyones way. Look around, look at how people are staring at you.

Evan wrinkled his nose. Whats that smell?

Mark leaned in theatrically, sniffing the air around me. He recoiled with a look of disgust. Jesus, Audrey, is that you? The booze in here is strong, but its not enough to cover up that stink.

Through the haze of my humiliation, I thought I heard Leo chuckle. I lifted my head, and my eyes met his across the small space separating us. His face was a mask of cold amusement.

Leo, I whispered, my voice trembling. Youre just going to stand there and let them say these things to me?

He cleared his throat. Did they say anything that was untrue? Audrey, dont make a scene. Just go home. Ill have my driver take you.

The System reminded me that I had to remain for two hours.

A strange, reckless smile touched my lips. No, I said, my voice clear and firm. Im not going home. And I wont bother you.

Mark leaned in and whispered something in Leos ear. Claires on her way.

Leos jaw tightened. He glared at me, his patience gone. Im asking you one last time. Are you going home?

No.

A cruel, chilling smile spread across his face. You want to play? Fine. Lets play.

He gave a sharp, almost imperceptible nod. A moment later, his friends swarmed me, laughing and jeering. They grabbed the frame of my wheelchair.

And then they lifted me into the air.

Panic seized me. I gripped the armrests, my knuckles white, a cold sweat breaking out across my entire body. My clothes clung to my damp skin. They hoisted me up like a trophy, rocking the chair back and forth as they whooped and hollered.

Across the room, Leo lounged on a leather banquette, one leg crossed over the other, sipping his drink as he watched me.

My eyes found the DJ booth, the pulsating lights, the hypnotic beat. The DJ, a young man with kind eyes, caught my gaze and gave me a small, encouraging wave. Something inside me snapped. The fear receded, replaced by a wild, defiant energy. I let go of the armrests, raised my hands into the air, and started cheering along with the music, a genuine smile on my face.

I could faintly hear Marks voice below. Is she gonna puke? Shake her harder!

But from his vantage point, only Leo could see the truth. He could see that in this moment of ultimate humiliation, I had found a bizarre, fleeting moment of joy. Of freedom.

With a crash, he slammed his glass down on the table, his face a thundercloud of fury.

The next thing I knew, I was falling. They dropped me. The impact was brutal, knocking the air from my lungs and sending me tumbling out of the chair and onto the filthy floor.

Leo walked over, his face a perfect picture of feigned concern. Guys, what the hell? You have to be more careful. You dropped your sister-in-law. He looked down at me, a sickeningly sweet smile on his face. Audrey, you okay?

He offered me his hand. I had no other choice. I just needed him to lift me back into my seat.

I reached for his hand. At the last possible second, he pulled it away.

He staggered back, covering his nose and mouth. Oh, God. His friends followed suit, backing away from me as if I were radioactive.

Leo threw his head back and roared with laughter. The music in the club seemed to die at that exact moment, plunging the room into a stunned silence.

Audrey! he boomed, his voice echoing in the sudden quiet. Did you just lose control? Again?! My God, were in public!

Every eye in the room turned to me. I could feel their stares like physical blows, searing my skin.

Mark howled with laughter, a sound so piercing it made my teeth ache. Wow, Audrey! You really cant hold it, can you? I mean, at home is one thing, but out here? With all these people? Ugh!

Leo was the one to deliver the final, killing blow, his voice dripping with righteous indignation. I told you to go home, Audrey. Did you have to do this? Did you have to embarrass us both? Youve completely ruined my reputation!

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