Faking Disability: Two Years of Deceit for Revenge

Braving a downpour, I delivered a lavish food order, anticipating the hefty commission and a $100 tip.

Laughter suddenly echoed from the villa.

Someone started, "He really believes your car crash left you paralyzed? He's hustling deliveries to support you and even pawned his dad's heirloom?"

Another said, "What if he discovers you're actually a billionaire heiress, just playing poor? He'd probably break down in tears."

Jessica Stark toyed with her wine glass. "Guys like him are wired to serve, especially since he always outshone Mark in our school days. This is his comeuppance."

I stood in the relentless rain, a bitter chuckle escaping my lips.

Turned out, her two-year charade of paralysis was merely to avenge her childhood sweetheart.

Her broken legs, deceased parents, and helpless tears were all meticulously crafted lies.

Disillusioned, I dialed my estranged tycoon mother. "You win. I'll go through with the arranged marriage."

...

After I ended the call, Mark Castro's voice drifted from the villa.

"That's my darling Jess, pampering me and taking that jerk down a peg. Fantastic!" he said, gently lifting Jessica's chin.

There, glinting on his ring finger, was my dad's signet ring.

Jessica giggled, nipping his fingertip playfully. "You're such a tease!"

Her supposedly paralyzed legs lounged crossed on the coffee table, showing no sign of impairment.

The thick white cast that had deceived me for two years glared mockingly under the lights.

Clutching my delivery box, I rapped on the door.

Heads turned toward me. The lively chatter in the living room died instantly, replaced by an oppressive silence.

I approached Jessica, my drenched sneakers squelching and leaving muddy puddles on the floor.

Her voice came out strained, her eyes darting evasively. "What are you doing here? I'm just catching up with some old classmates."

I ignored her, my gaze fixed on the ring adorning Mark's hand. "Give it back."

Jessica's smile froze, unprepared for my chill.

She wheeled closer, attempting her well-practiced soothing tone. "Noah, let me explain."

"Explain what?" I interrupted her, my mouth curling into a smile that felt more like a grimace. "That you graciously sold my ring to Mark at a premium? Or that your broken legs miraculously regained function today of all days?"

She blanched, her lips parting, but no words came out.

The tension thickened, broken by a snort from Mark.

He rose leisurely, his leather shoes clicking as he approached, deliberately waving the ringed hand in my face.

"This little trinket? Jess gifted it to me," he said, his eyes brimming with provocation and glee. "Got your eye on it?"

Jessica's complexion shifted from ashen to flushed. "Mark, enough. He..."

"What's the matter?" Mark cut her off, scanning my sodden, cheap uniform with open contempt. "Want it back? Sure. Give me 500 grand. Friends' discount, since I wore it."

His words hung heavy in the air.

After clashing with my mother, I'd exhausted everything for Jessica's treatment, pawning my dad's keepsake. I couldn't scrape together even $500.

I glared at his triumphant grin, then at Jessica, who averted her eyes and tacitly endorsed his ridicule.

It felt like an icy fist clenched around my heart, extinguishing the final flicker of nostalgia for what we had shared.