The Legs I Gave Away

To save Marcus, I lost both my legs and became bedridden, paralyzed.

But then I overheard his conversation with his best friends:

She's been crippled for four years, and I've taken care of her for four years.

Four years later, I'd say that debt is paid, wouldn't you?

Just thinking about her legs turned into rotting flesh makes me sick. Why wasn't it me who ended up paralyzed instead?

I trembled and hid to the side, when the system reminded me:

"The four-year contract has expired. Does the host wish to renew?"

"System, help me get those legs back."

"Understood. Canceling your contract now."

Today was my birthday. I sat alone, holding a cake, waiting for a long time.

My husband said he'd be here soon, but there was still no sign of him.

With no other choice, I struggled to wheel myself downstairs.

Just as I was about to call him, I spotted his figure.

I wanted to call out his name happily, but I noticed he was talking with some people.

Probably work.

No wonder he hadn't come upstairs yet.

I slowly moved closer and gradually made out what they were saying.

It wasn't about work. It was about... me.

"Marcus, Claire can't wait much longer."

Who was Claire?

"I won't make her wait long."

Standing across from Marcus were his two best friends, Liam and Ryan.

Liam suddenly got excited. "Marcus, you've finally come to your senses?"

Seeing Marcus nod, Liam smiled even more broadly.

"Marcus, I thought you couldn't bear to leave Sarah. All these years, you've climbed the ladder of success while Sarah's still a cripple. She's fallen miles and miles behind you."

Hearing this, I didn't feel particularly upset. I knew his friends had always harbored disgust toward me.

But these words alone weren't enough to shake the bond between Marcus and me.

Soon enough, though, I was proven wrong.

"Four years. She's been crippled for four years, and I've taken care of her for four years. Four years later, I'd say that debt is paid, wouldn't you?"

After speaking, Marcus let out a relieved sigh.

A thunderclap exploded in my mind.

I looked up, unable to believe what I was seeing.

"I'm glad you've figured it out, Marcus. I thought... you were really going to take care of her for the rest of your life. If I were you, she would've driven me crazy long ago."

"You have no ideaa disabled person is just disgusting and filthy. Her wheelchair gets scrubbed every day, but it still smells. I've been fed up with her for ages."

Even Ryan, who rarely smiled, let out a laugh. "Marcus, these past few years must've been rough on you. Just thinking about you two sharing a bed makes me want to puke."

The curve of Marcus's lips was painfully glaring.

"Don't even mention it. I wish I'd been the one who got paralyzed back then. I really don't understand why she insisted on saving me. Maybe if she hadn't thrown herself at me, we'd both have been fine. She probably just wanted to trap me with guilt."

Actually, Marcus wasn't entirely wrong, but he wasn't entirely right either.

Four years ago, Marcus had been looking down at his phone while crossing the street when an out-of-control truck came barreling toward him.

In that split second, I screamed his name and threw myself at him.

But it was too late.

Marcus's whole body was drenched in blood, his legs crushed into a pulp.

He was such a proud person.

I couldn't imagine what extreme actions he might take when he woke up and saw himself like that.

His business had just started turning around. He needed those legs.

I vaguely remember what I said so decisively four years ago.

"System, give my legs to Marcus."

"Host, once exchanged, this cannot be reversed!"

"He just gained a foothold in business. Without his legs now, he'll lose his mind..."

All along, Marcus believed my legs had been crushed by the truck.

In truth, I had voluntarily given them to him.

I instinctively ducked behind a building.

Marcus's voice came again. "Four years. Four whole years. Every single day has been torture for me. Now just seeing her face makes me physically ill."

"Marcus, why don't we take you out to have some fun? Relax a little?"

Marcus immediately refused. "Forget it. Today's Sarah's birthday. After we get through this birthday, we can call it even, right?"

I couldn't hear what they said after that.

All I could hear was a ringing in my ears.

I don't even remember how I got home.

When Marcus ate dinner with me, he kept looking at his phone.

He always said it was work, and I believed him.

Only today did I realize how absurd that was.

"Who's this Claire person?"

Marcus instantly looked up at me with an indescribable expression.

Then his eyes filled with disgust.

"What are you implying?"

"I'm just asking. What, I can't ask?"

Marcus quickly adjusted his emotions and smiled at me warmly.

"Honey, you've got it wrong. She's just a business partner. Something's come up right now, so I... need to go out for a bit."

"But it's my birthday."

I tried to be patient, wanting to finish this last meal with him.

But Marcus's brow furrowed with endless irritation.

"Didn't you already blow out the candles? Be good, honey. I'll keep you company when I get back."

He smiled and patted my head, then immediately pulled his hand back.

He turned and left.

I wheeled myself to the window and watched him frantically wiping his hand after he got outside.

He kept dry heaving.

I calmly asked, "System, can I get those legs back?"

"Host, you don't have enough points yet. A random task has been activated for you. Please proceed to Cloud Luxe Bar."

I didn't waste any time and set off right away.

But when I reached the bar entrance, I couldn't find the courage to take that step.

Not until the system prompted me did I finally wheel myself inside.

The bouncer at the door looked at me strangely.

I felt so embarrassed I just wanted to run away.

As soon as I entered, the lively atmosphere inside didn't make me feel too uncomfortable.

I was about to move forward when someone bumped into my wheelchair.

"Where'd this cripple come from? Does this bar let just anyone in? You almost hit me!"

"What's a cripple doing at a bar? Move it! You're blocking the way!"

I awkwardly apologized.

Just as I was about to leave and find another spot, a pair of large hands gripped my wheelchair.

It was Marcus.

"What are you doing here?"

His voice wasn't questioningit was interrogating.

"It was too quiet at home, so I came out for a walk."

Liam walked up to me with a drink in hand, looking down at me arrogantly. "Sarah, not to be harsh, but even if you wanted to go for a walk, you shouldn't come here. This isn't a place for a cripple. Sarah, can't you give us a break?"

"Before the accident, I used to come here all the time. I just wanted to take a look."

Liam continued pressing me. "You said it yourselfthat was before, not now. You're a useless waste now. Coming here just creates problems for other people. Look at how everyone's staring at you."

Ryan frowned. "What's that smell? Something stinks."

Liam kept sniffing, then leaned close to me and started fanning the air.

"Why do you smell so bad? Even with all the alcohol smell in here, it can't cover up your stench."

I thought I heard Marcus let out a quiet laugh.

I looked up and our eyes met.

"Marcus, you're just going to watch them humiliate me like this?"

Marcus coughed twice. "Which part of what they said was wrong? Stop embarrassing yourself. Go home. I'll have the driver take you."

The system told me I still had to stay here for two more hours.

I smiled and said resolutely, "I'm not going back, and I won't bother you."

Liam carefully walked behind Marcus and whispered.

"Marcus, Claire's about to arrive."

Marcus suddenly frowned. "I'm asking you one last time. Are you going back or not?"

"No."

Marcus suddenly smiled coldly. "You want to play? Then let's play."

With that, he waved his hand with a cold laugh.

His friends came over to my wheelchair and started doing something to it.

The next second, they lifted me up.

I gripped the wheelchair tightly, swallowing in fear, breaking out in a cold sweat.

My clothes stuck to my back.

The guys shook my wheelchair from below, hollering and yelling.

Marcus sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, holding a drink and watching me make a fool of myself.

I looked at the DJ booth, listening to the pounding music. Gradually, I didn't feel so scared anymore.

Watching the DJ wave at me, I smiled and raised both hands, cheering along with him.

I faintly heard Liam's voice. "Did she throw up yet? Shake harder!"

Only Marcus, sitting in the booth, could see that at this moment, I was having the time of my life.

I was grateful to them for giving me this brief moment of freedom.

Marcus suddenly slammed his glass on the table, glaring at me with hatred.

The next second, they threw me violently to the ground.

The intense impact made me fall right off my wheelchair.

Marcus looked at his friends with fake concern. "Why were you so careless? You made Sarah fall."

Then he looked at me with a fake smile. "Are you okay?"

Marcus reached his hand toward me. I had no choiceI just wanted him to lift me back into my wheelchair.

Just as I was about to take his hand, Marcus pulled it back.

He covered his nose and stepped back two paces. Everyone else backed away from me too.

Marcus suddenly burst out laughing. The music stopped at an inappropriate moment.

"Sarah! You wet yourself again?! This is a public place!"

Marcus's voice echoed throughout the venue. Countless eyes felt like they were roasting me alive.

Liam laughed loudly, his voice painfully grating.

"Sarah, you really need to be more careful. It's one thing at home, but this is in public with so many people around. Ugh!"

Marcus also began to condemn me. "Sarah, I told you to leave, but you insisted on making things difficult for both of us. You've made me lose all my dignity!"

I had no time for this. "Marcus, just help me up first."

Marcus finally spoke what was really on his mind. "Sarah, do you know how disgusting your lower body is? It's like rotting flesh. When will you finally let me go?"

I looked down with a bitter, helpless smile. "You've been acting for four years. Must have been exhausting."