The day Clara's exam results came out, she vanished.

My calls went unanswered. I wheeled anxiously around our apartment until dusk, unable to sit still any longer. Finally, I decided to go look for her.

Our apartment was in a run-down complex with poor maintenance. The hallways were narrow and dim, with burnt-out bulbs no one ever replaced. Just maneuvering my wheelchair past the cluttered corridor was a challenge. The tight space and my useless legs made it nearly impossible - after an hour, I'd barely made it halfway out.

In frustration, I slammed my fists against my legs. "Why?" I shouted. "Why did both my legs have to be ruined?"

Tears slipped between my fingers as I covered my face. I wiped them away roughly, telling myself nothing was certain yet. Clara might resent me, but she hadn't actually ended things. As long as she kept her promise, I still had hope.

Just as I steeled myself to try again, my phone buzzed. An anonymous message with a photo attached.

Though the image was blurry, Clara's smile was unmistakable. She was nestled in a man's arms, his hand wrapped possessively around her waist. He stared directly into the camera with a smug grin. I recognized him instantly - Caleb Carter, her childhood sweetheart.

In a blind rage, I smashed everything within reach in the hallway. Then I grabbed my wheels and rushed out, ignoring the pain in my hands. I had to confront Clara about her betrayal.

But fate wasn't kind.

The neighbors whose property I'd damaged called the police.

At the station, they surrounded me, shouting and demanding unreasonable compensation.

How could I pay?

I'd given everything to Clara. During her year of exam preparation, I'd supported her completely - paying for her food, rent, everything. I'd worked myself to exhaustion, selling sketches for pennies.

To save money for her studies, I'd bought only the cheapest painkillers.

I'd thought once she passed, it would all be worth it. Instead, she'd betrayed me.

My hands shook as I stared at her number, finally finding the courage to call again. This time, she answered immediately.

Hearing her voice, words failed me. Looking at the angry crowd, I could only laugh bitterly. "The results are out. Did you pass?"

After a long pause, she answered quietly, "Yes."

My lips trembled, and suddenly I lost all desire to confront her. Maybe someone like me didn't deserve happiness.

Clara was extraordinary - beautiful, ambitious, and determined. She belonged in the light. And now, I wasn't good enough for her. I couldn't blame her.

Fighting back tears, my throat tight, I forced out the words: "Let's break up."

Unable to pay for the damages, I faced legal action from the neighbors, forcing the police to detain me.

Clara arrived while I was processing the detention paperwork. She stood before me in a red dress, perfectly styled and made up. I tensed, instinctively trying to move my legs, but they remained heavy and unresponsive.

"Why did you come?" I asked, tasting blood from my bitten lip.

Clara's eyes betrayed her disgust, though her words were gentle. "If you hadn't saved me two years ago, I'd be dead now.

"So don't talk about breaking up. I'll keep my promise.

"Once I start at the hospital, we'll get married."

She moved to take my hand but recoiled at the sight of dirt and dried blood. I forced a smile and hid my hand, matching her gesture.

Clara paid to settle everything, and the police released me.

On the ride home, she stared out the window, avoiding my gaze. At our building, she tipped the driver generously to help me into my wheelchair and up to our apartment.

As she rushed toward the bedroom, I called out, "Clara, I haven't congratulated you yet. Can I get you anything to celebrate?"

She paused, glancing back. "No need. It's late—just clean up and rest. I'm exhausted."

I stared at the photos on my phone, swallowing my questions. She'd promised to marry me; I shouldn't ask for more. What did it matter if her heart belonged to someone else, as long as she stayed?

For two months, I barely saw her. Apart from taking me for a medical checkup last month, she was always gone—leaving early and returning late. Without waiting up, I'd never see her at all.

At midnight, fighting sleep, I waited by the door, counting seconds.

Just before dawn, I heard keys in the lock. I straightened up, fixing my clothes and forcing a smile as I reached for the door. But Clara opened it before I could help.

Her nervous eyes met mine, then I noticed the man behind her. Though I knew, I still asked, "Who's this?"

Clara avoided my gaze and handed Caleb a pair of slippers. "Come in, we'll talk."

As he changed his shoes, I fixated on the lipstick stain marking his white collar. I couldn't ignore it. "You and him..." I started, clenching my fists.

Clara slammed the door, making me jump.

"You—" I tried again.

She stared down at me, then spoke softly. "Two years ago, you sacrificed your legs for me. You worked yourself to exhaustion supporting my medical school dream.

"I'm grateful for everything. There's one last thing I need. If you agree, we'll marry, okay?"

I watched her hands shake on my wheelchair. Numbly, I nodded. "What is it?"

Clara looked past me to Caleb. "I need your heart... to save Caleb's life."