Chapter 2

Matthew gazed at my legs inquiringly. I locked my phone and replied calmly, "It's nothing. Just a junior was asking me how the dance company recruits dancers. That's all." I then glanced at Angela's flat tummy. "How many months are you along?" "Two months. It's still within the risky period. Matthew and I tried for six months before I got pregnant with this baby," Angela told me, her face glowing with sweetness. Inwardly, I laughed coldly. It seemed they had actually gotten together the moment I went abroad. Matthew hurriedly explained, "After you went abroad, it was Ange who kept me company. She deserves the credit. When she found out that you can't have children, she volunteered to give us a baby, partly to deal with my parents looking down on you and partly to ensure you'll be cared for in your old age." He stroked Angela's tummy adoringly and stared at me. "You're getting a son without even doing anything. Aren't you happy about that?" I murmured in response, giving no clear answer. Stepping forward, Matthew picked me up and placed me on the couch. He then pulled out the ring and slid it onto my ring finger. "That's enough. I know you're still jealous. After the baby is born, I'll give Ange some money and tell her to leave. With our son there, my mom won't think you're a burden anymore. That way, we can finally get married." When Matthew used to say this before, I really believed that he was considering our future. After all, with my disability, it would be challenging for him to marry me. Yet now, the ring on my finger felt like it was digging into my flesh, sending a sharp jolt of pain through me. When I said nothing, Matthew assumed I was appeased. "That's it, then. I need to take Ange to the hospital for her prenatal checkup. I can't be careless since it's our son, right? We'll go over the wedding details when I'm back." He put an arm around Angela's shoulders, and they left in a rush. Watching their matching figures walk away, I slowly stood up. There was no future for Matthew and me anymore, so there was no need to discuss the wedding. With that thought, I started packing my belongings. The next second, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Angela, who said, "I had no idea a cripple like you could be this rich. Thank you for sponsoring the candlelit dinner I'll enjoy with Matthew tonight!" At the same time, a notification popped up from my bank card—over 20 thousand dollars had been deducted. The latest transaction was from the wedding fund I had been saving. My heart sank as I quickly checked my transaction records. I realized that during the year I was abroad, Matthew had been using my card and funds for all sorts of expenses—couples' meals, women's clothing stores, jewelry stores, couple photoshoots, hotels, and intimate lingerie, among others. During our five years together, the most expensive gift he had given me was a pair of travel tickets, which was a benefit given by our dance company. I recalled how I had insisted on doing menial work at the dance company so I wouldn't become a burden for him. Every time I needed his help to go to the bathroom or massage my legs, he would ask for money in return for his service. Once, I had discovered that he had used the fund without telling me. When I asked him about it, he claimed he had taken the money to start a business. "I'm doing this for our future. You can't earn money because of your disability, and I can't perform on stage forever. If I don't find a way to make money now, what will we do in the future?" I had no words and could only pray that he succeeded in starting his business. Starting a business? For our future? It was all utter bullshit. He was just using me as an ATM to please Angela! Without hesitation, I froze the account. Right after I froze it, I got a call from Matthew.