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    Connor let out a long sigh, almost like a weight had lifted. “And really, Xylia not being able to dance isn’t the worst thing. That way no one’s in Tessa’s way. Being the lead was her dream.


    “You have no idea how much I’ve done just to make sure she gets to be happy. I even stepped right into the mess myself to make it happen.”


    Xylia just froze, a thinyer of despair spreading in her chest. Eight years back, when Tessa showed up, Xylia’d found out she wasn’t even the real daughter of the Schultz family.


    Xylia’s fiancé dumped her right there in front of everyone, and swore he’d kick her out of Jupiton. Then, he married Tessa.


    Overnight, Xylia became the punchline of every joke in their circle. Friends and family all treated her like she’d stolen what wasn’t hers. People whispered that she must’ve been after the Schultzes‘ money if she held on to that title for so long.


    Only Connor hade to Xylia when she was falling apart. He’d told her, “Xylia, I’ll marry you. From now on, I’ll be the one standing behind you.”


    Xylia had been touched, overwhelmed even, and chose to marry him. She’d believed he was her soulmate. For him, she even turned down an offer from a world–famous dancer.


    Later, when Xylia heard Tessa had be that dancer’sst student and ended up the country’s top dancer, she didn’t think much of it. Looking back now, Xylia could see Connor’s hand in all of it.


    No wonder, even after they got married and he treated her well, she always felt like she couldn’t reach his heart. It had all been a setup. Every step. Just to make sure Tessa’s dream


    came true.


    Xylia let out a soundlessugh, tears spilling anyway. She thought, ‘So that’s what “stepped right into the mess myself” means.


    ‘Who else but me would be this much of a fool? Eight years of running in circles, letting the same man y me like this?


    ‘Eight years, and I gave up everything. I gave up dancing to be a doctor because Sonny’s health was fragile. I bent over backwards to please Connor when I couldn’t reach him. And all this time, I thought it was me.’


    Xylia’s tears soaked into the pillow. She tried to lift her hand to wipe them, but her hand just flopped right back down, useless. The tendons had been cut by an inmate when she was locked up, punishment for not obeying.


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    She would never hold a scalpel again. She had worked her way up to chief surgeon with these hands, and now it was all gone because Connor and Sonny dyed her surgery.


    The ss cup on the table ttered to the floor, the sharp sound slicing through the air. The voices outside cut off, and Connor rushed in.


    For a split second, panic shed in his eyes before he scooped Xylia into his arms. “Xylia, you’re awake? The surgery went really well. What seems to be the problem?”


    Connor’s brow was tight, his face full of worry. If she hadn’t heard what he’d said earlier, Xylia might’ve actually believed that concern.


    Sonny scrambled to her bedside, his voice breaking. “Mom, are you thirsty? I’ll get you some


    water.”


    Before, Xylia would’ve thought her life was perfect. A husband who treated her like treasure; a son who doted on her. But now, all she felt was disgust at how fake it was. She, the one they fooled, looked nothing but pathetic.


    Xylia’s nose burned, pain flooding through every bone in her body. She forced her tears back down, lowered her head, and managed a pale smile.


    Seeing her like that, Connor nearly shook with worry.


    He lowered his head, then looked up again, his eyes rimmed red. “Xylia, does it hurt somewhere? I’ll call the doctor back in. Don’t worry, I’ll track down whoever gave false testimony. I won’t let you suffer for nothing.”


    A tear slid down Xylia’s face. Her eyes kept drifting, her whole body cold.


    She thought, “They really put on a hell of a show. I let myself be fooled all these years, used up till there was nothing left, and I only saw the truth now.‘


    Xylia’s expression went t. For the first time, she cut sharp with her words. “It’s been three months. You still haven’t found who gave false testimony? Are my hand and legs even salvageable?”


    In her mind, she added, ‘And… do you even feel the slightest bit of pity for me anymore?‘


    Xylia’s voice cut through the quiet room. Connor blinked, dazed, before he spoke. “Xylia, I’ll do everything I can to get justice for you. And your hand, I’ll make sure the best people treat


    it.”


    Sonny leaned against Xylia’s bed, holding her hand tight. “Mom, please don’t be sad. The doctors here just aren’t that <i>good</i>, but Dad already brought in the best team from overseas.”


    ‘Not because the doctors here were bad,’ Xylia argued silently, ‘but because you two dragged it


    out until it was toote.


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    She suddenly felt bone–deep exhaustion. She had held herself up in prison for three months, just so she could get out and see them. And now, the two people who meant the most to her handed her this kind of “surprise.”


    “Forget it,” Xylia said, pulling at the corner of her mouth. She locked eyes on Connor, watching every flicker in his face. “All I want is to find the driver who ran from that crash, the one who faked the testimony, and clear my name.”


    For a second, Connor’s perfect mask cracked.


    Xylia, you never used to nitpick like this.” His brow drew in, his voice turning cool. “I’ll try my best to avenge you, but I don’t want you drowning in hate. Wouldn’t it be better if we just lived our lives in peace?”


    Bitterness shot through Xylia. Her whole body ached until it was numb. She screamed inside, You two destroyed everyst hope I had. How the hell was I supposed to just “live in peace“?‘


    “Mom, even if your hand never heals, me and Dad would never look down on you for being disabled. Please, let the hate go.” Sonny’s words came out soft, but on his young face sat a look that cut cruelly.


    Xylia couldn’t take that kind of guilt–wrapped pity. She opened her mouth to say more, but Connor’s phone rang. His cold face instantly melted soft.


    Xylia stared at Connor in silence, the taste in her chest bitter. Married all these years, he had treated her well, but his face was always distant, cold.


    She used to think maybe he just didn’t know how to smile. Turned out he only saved that smile for someone else.


    After he hung up, Connor looked a bit apologetic, brows pulled tight. “Xylia, something came up at Sonny’s school. I need to take him there.”


    Xylia’s head dropped. Connor forgot she always had sharp hearing.


    Even when the voice on the other end was quiet, she heard that woman’s carefreeugh, “Connor, my show just wrapped up. Come pick me up. I’ll treat you to dinner.”


    That voice, Xylia knew all too well. Tessa Schultz, the real daughter of the family. Bright, bubbly, loved wherever she went.


    Xylia’s chest went cold, the exhaustion heavier than ever. She looked at Connor and said in a calm tone, “But today’s Saturday.”


    Connor frowned, cutting Sonny a look. The boy caught on instantly. “We had a performance


    at school, Mom. I need practice. When you get better, you’lle see me on stage.”


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    The lie was paper–thin, and Connor’s impatience showed all over his face. Inside, she gave a bitter smile. So now that I’m crippled and can’t climb back up, they don’t even bother pretending anymore, is that it?‘


    Xylia’s chest stung, but her face kept its pale smile. “Go on.”


    That edge of impatience finally faded from Connor. He poured her a ss of milk and set it down. “You always loved milk. Drink it up and wait here for me.”


    Then he strode out with Sonny, moving faster than he needed to, almost like he couldn’t wait to leave.


    Xylia stared at the ss of milk and smiled faintly. She wasctose intolerant. The one who loved milk had never been her.


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