“Hello, Aunt Julia!” Zachary suddenly popped out from behind me, puffing out his chest and proudly announcing, “I’m Zachary!”
Thinking I couldn’t see, he cheekily stuck his tongue out at Julia. “Dad told me you’re an amazing dancer! I really look up to you!”
Julia shot me a proud glance, crouched down to stroke Zachary’s hair gently, and said softly, “Thank you, Zachary. Auntie is very happy to hear that.”
“But your mom used to be even better than you,” I added quietly.
Zachary cocked his head, staring at me in disbelief. “Mom can dance too?”
Alan had hidden my dancing shoes and trophies, so Zachary had no idea about my past. He quickly said, “Aunt Julia, you’re wrong. Mom can’t do anything. Her legs shake after just a few steps. She can’t even manage as a housewife, so how could she dance?”
“Zachary,” Alan scolded sternly, “Don’t talk about Mom like that.”
Zachary pouted unhappily, but Julia, clearly pleased, pinched his cheek affectionately.
“Alan, I want to speak with Nina alone,” Julia whispered sweetly, tugging on Alan’s sleeve. “Remember? We were roommates in college.”
Yes, Julia was my college roommate—and I was the one who introduced her to Zechariah.
I used to think we were friends...
Alan gently took the reluctant Zachary away, while Julia wheeled me toward the gym on the first floor.
She moved confidently, clearly familiar with the house, showing no intention to hide anything.
As soon as the door shut behind us, Julia dropped her act and kicked my wheelchair hard. I grabbed the wheel, but it slipped, sending me crashing sideways. My knee slammed painfully against the metal frame, and a cold sweat broke out on my forehead.
“How does it feel to be trapped in a wheelchair?” Her fingers, painted a bright red, tangled fiercely in the strands of my hair, pulling hard.
I groaned in pain but forced a smile. “Try sitting in it yourself—you’d understand.”
Julia’s expression froze cold as she pinched my chin sharply. “You’re nothing but a broken toy for others to play with. Who do you think you’re fooling with your fake superiority?”
I grabbed her collar. “You’re a different person now. Do you still have nightmares about your father?”
Back in college, Julia often cried out in her sleep, begging, “Don’t hit me!” and “Please!” I asked her many times what was wrong, but she always shut me out.
It wasn’t until I found bruises on her body that I realized her father was abusing both her and her mother. I wanted to call the police, but she clutched my hand tightly and begged through tears, “Please don’t let anyone find out.”
I had no choice but to speak with my mother, who helped connect Julia with a support fund.
Julia’s face twisted in anger, her grip tightening. “How dare you bring up my father? Every time your mother’s people come by, he beats me worse than before!”
“You and your mother pretend to help me, but it’s just a performance to satisfy your own savior complex. You never stopped to think about what I’ve been through!”
She slapped my hand away, her nails leaving a long scratch across my forearm.
“You don’t know the truth—Zech and I are married.” Julia lifted her hand to show the diamond ring gleaming on her finger. “If I shed a few tears, every man around you will fall at my feet.”
She curled her lip and looked away, scanning the room.
I felt trapped, like a helpless prey caught by a venomous snake.
Julia picked up a dumbbell and smiled brightly. “Zech’s like this—do you think Alan will be the same?”
