At dinner, Elias fussed over Laura. He served her food, picked out fish bones, and mumbled about what was best for the baby. 

He didn’t even look my way. I was stuck in my wheelchair at the far end of the table, where everyone else acted like I wasn’t even there. 

“If Jean hadn’t broken her legs, she probably would’ve won the national dance competition and ended up training with me,” Laura said, knowing exactly how to hit me where it hurt. 

I lifted my head and met her gaze. “Yeah. If it weren’t for my ‘accident’, you wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near such a big stage as a last-minute replacement.” 

Laura froze, not expecting me to have the guts to bring up what happened back then or how she’d conveniently stepped in. 

Bertha snorted and spoke up for Laura. “But that accident did happen, didn’t it? That’s just how things work. You sure like to talk. If you’re done eating, get out of here. Can’t you tell you’re killing everyone’s appetite? You’re sickening.” 

I tightened my grip on the arms of my wheelchair and looked at Elias. He clearly couldn’t stand me messing with his precious Laura. Instead of backing me up, he had someone send me upstairs to rest. 

He knew I hated staying at Levy Manor. I begged him to take me home, but he wanted more time with Laura, so he forced me to stay the night. 

Late that night, my old injury flared up—the familiar pain burning through my damaged legs. Normally, Elias would’ve helped me find painkillers and massaged the area to ease it. 

However, he still hadn’t come back to the room by 11:00 pm. I had no choice but to look for him. He was the only one I could count on in this massive Levy Manor. 

When I passed Laura’s room, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. I could hear voices inside—familiar and suggestive. 

“Elias, it must be tough for you, being stuck with that cripple Jean.” 

“It’s worth it if it makes you happy. So, the baby’s five months already? Can I see?” 

“Sure. Just be careful. The baby likes a gentle person, doesn’t it?”