Paralyzed by His Lies

Chapter 7

"What do you want? This isn't the Quinn estate. Get out of my way!"

I snapped, my voice cold as ice.

The housekeeper stammered, trying to keep his composure.

"Miss Lucy... the young master really misses you."

The assistant chimed in awkwardly,

"Yes, Mr. Quinn... he's been asking for you every day."

I could see they weren't planning to move, so I turned on my heel and marched straight back to Alexander.

He looked up, thinking I'd finally caved.

"Come home with me."

I clenched my jaw, barely holding in the rage bubbling under my skin. Then, before anyone could react, I lunged forward and shoved the wheelchair, hard.

Crash.

Alexander hit the ground with a heavy thud.

"Young master!"

"Mr. Quinn!"

Panic erupted. The housekeeper rushed to help him up, his face pale with shock.

"What the hell are you doing?!" he shouted.

I stared down at Alexander, now slumped awkwardly in the housekeeper's arms, and the last of my patience snapped.

"Stop pretending, Alexander Quinn."

My voice trembled with fury.

"Five years. You've had five whole years to get your revenge. Isn't that enough? How long are you going to keep up this act?"

My voice cracked. "There's nothing wrong with your legs."

Silence. No one moved.

"Five years," I repeated, bitterness rising in my throat. "You all played your parts so damn well."

I looked around at each of them, my heart pounding.

"Grandpa Housekeeper, did you enjoy watching me stick needles in myself trying to 'help' him walk?"

"Assistant Chen, did you laugh behind my back every time I begged you to keep an eye on him when I was out?"

And then my gaze landed on Alexander again.

"You… did it feel good? Watching me massage your feet every night like some fool? Soaking them for hours? Running through rainstorms to buy you medicine?"

Their faces shifted, shock giving way to guilt.

But guilt wasn't enough. Not after what they'd done.

"You make me sick. All of you."

I turned to leave. I truly thought after everything I'd said, after dragging their ugly little secrets into the light, they'd let me go.

But no.

Assistant Chen stepped forward again, blocking my path.

"You can't leave. Mr. Quinn needs you."

He nodded at the bodyguards flanking him.

I didn't have time to react. Two pairs of hands grabbed me, gripping my arms tight.

Panic. Raw and suffocating.

The scene blurred, the world spinning back to that rainy day.

I thrashed wildly.

"Let go of me! I was wrong, okay? Just let me go!"

Tears blurred my vision as my body shook.

Something in my voice must've hit Alexander hard. His face dropped, and he shouted,

"Let her go!"

He shoved the wheelchair forward, reaching for me, desperate.

"Lucy, hey, hey, it's okay. Don't be scared. I won't hurt you."

But that's the thing, Alexander.

You're the one I'm afraid of.

I jerked away from his touch, trembling.

And then, warmth. A different touch. A presence that didn't suffocate me.

I turned and collapsed into someone's arms.

Eric.

He held me steady, shielding me with his body.

"Who the hell are you?" Alexander's voice was low, dangerous.

Eric's gaze never wavered.

"I should be asking you that." He pulled me protectively behind him. "Stay away from my sister."

His voice dropped, calm but laced with warning.

"Whatever sick plan you've got in mind, drop it. Or don't blame me for what happens next."