Broken Legs, Broken Heart

To help Elisabeth play in the women's soccer match, Reid had someone break my legs. I was shaking with fear and begged him, but he remained unmoved.

"Elisabeth has been waiting for this chance for so long. You've had so many opportunities, can’t you give her just one?" Reid swung the baseball bat, and the excruciating pain followed with a sickening crunch.

I lay on the ground, tears streaming down my face, pleading for him to call an ambulance. He just said, "I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do. Just hang in there."

Soon after, Elisabeth called, and Reid was summoned away. I missed the critical window for medical treatment and was left confined to a wheelchair for life.

Later, he promised through tears that he'd take care of me forever. But I found it laughable. Could he ever replace my lost legs and shattered dreams?

...

The team had finished the voting, and everyone expected my name to be on the list. I was the youngest and most talented athlete on the team, with a collection of awards. But before the roster was announced, Reid personally broke my legs.

I curled on the ground, agony shooting through my legs, and sweat pouring down my forehead. Reid's baseball bat came down hard again, and I couldn't stop myself from screaming.

"Please, Reid, let me go..." I cried out, clutching at his feet despite my dignity, begging for mercy. But he ignored my pleas, his eyes wild with something I couldn't recognize.

When he finally wore out, he called over a bodyguard to continue. Perhaps my cries were too haunting; he frowned slightly, showing a glimmer of regret.

"Zaylee, don't blame me. There's nothing else to do. You stepping down is the only way for Elisabeth to get a shot."

"You have talent and luck; you've collected so many awards. Letting her have this chance isn’t too much to ask, is it?"

I was stunned, my heart frozen. Years of rigorous training, the sweat, the tears—all dismissed with a simple phrase: 'talent and luck.'

We'd been together since college. He was with me at every step towards my dream. How could he not understand the value I placed on this opportunity?

Despite my heart being crushed, a part of me still held hope and asked him again, "Reid, are you really going to hurt me for her? After all we’ve been through, doesn’t your conscience trouble you?"

Reid's eyes showed a flicker of doubt; just as he seemed about to speak, his phone rang. Seeing the caller, his face brightened, and he answered in front of me.

Elisabeth's falsely worried voice came through, "Reid, did you manage to put me on the substitute list like you promised? If I miss this, I might never have another shot..."

Her voice softened, her sobbing apparent. Reid’s sympathy for her was immediate, comforting, "Don't worry, Elisabeth, I'll make sure your dreams come true. Your award is waiting."

After ending the call, Reid turned to