Villain's Odyssey: Enslaving heroines, Conquering Villainesses Chapter 56: The Weight of Realization

"Always smile my little princess, never let anything take that away from you," those were the last words of my mother before the incident that made led to my condition. The very sa condition that took everything from . It hurt to see others being able to move about at will while I remain restrained to this bondage. But even with everything I have been through, I still tried to smile. I always tried to find the bright side of my life...

So what if I was crippled? So what if I would always be seen as a burden? So what if I would always be alone? At least I was alive. At least I was beautiful... wasn’t I?

Or...

Perhaps I was deluding myself. What was the standard of beauty when half of you didn’t work? When you couldn’t even stand on your own two feet? Maybe I was just a broken doll, pretty to look at but ultimately useless.

But I still tried to believe it. I still tried to smile.

But now...

Now I no longer see a reason to.

At that very mont, I finally realized what that feeling was—that painful feeling in my chest whenever I saw other girls staring at Asher. That dreamy look they wore.

Jealousy.

I was just jealousy.

Now it all made sense. Unlike , they were complete. They had what I didn’t have—the ability to walk, to dance, to run. They could be the kind of woman a man could sweep off her feet, literally.

The realization pained so much it still hurts.

Asher may be my friend, but that’s all he would ever be to . That’s all he could ever see as—poor, broken Natalia in her wheelchair. At the end of the day, I was just a burden with wheels. No one would ever love that way. I had always known this, but I had built walls of denial around the truth.

It didn’t matter if I was beautiful or not. The fact remained: I was a cripple, and that would always be the first thing people saw. The wheelchair would always enter the room before I did.

Sobs.

Huh?

I’m crying?

Again?

The tears felt scalding against my cheeks, each drop a testant to my pathetic state. I was so stupid—crying wouldn’t change anything. Crying wouldn’t give back my legs or make whole.

Sobs.

More tears carved burning tracks down my face, and I could taste the salt.

I tried.

I really tried to stop it.

But I couldn’t. The floodgates had opened, and years of suppressed anguish ca pouring out.

My heart felt like it was being crushed, each beat sending shockwaves of pain through my chest. This issue had never hurt this much before, so why now? Perhaps it was because, just like all the other girls who had glanced at him with longing, I had harbored the sa foolish thoughts the mont I set my eyes on him.

It was faint but it was there—that flutter of hope. Aside from Nora, he was literally the only person who treated like... a normal person. Not a cripple to be pitied or exploited. And it had kindled this dangerous desire, this whisper that perhaps, just perhaps, he was my special soone.

But now, seeing all those other girls—girls who were not only beautiful but whole—displaying their blatant interest for him, it made realize I never stood a chance. They could offer him everything I couldn’t. They could walk beside him, dance with him, be the partner he deserved.

And it’s just... not fair.

Sobs.

Why must I end up alone? Why did this have to happen to ?

Sobs.

Why can’t I be like any other girl out there? Girls who dream of having a family of their own with the man of their choosing. A love life filled with stolen kisses and midnight walks and all the things that would forever be denied to .

Sobs.

"Natalia?" I heard, and lifted my eyes through the blur of tears, my vision eting Asher’s concerned gaze. I didn’t even notice, but he had already stopped pushing the wheelchair and had walked in front of it, kneeling before so we were at eye level.

"I d-don’t..." I tried to speak, but only more tears ca out, choking off my words.

Pathetic.

I am so pathetic.

Now I was making him worry about , adding to his burden. My face must look hideous—red and blotchy, eyes swollen from crying. This was how he would rember .

Sobs.

But I just couldn’t stop. The dam had burst, and everything was spilling out.

Now...

Now I finally understood.

This was why Nora never let get too close to guys. She didn’t want to realize this crushing truth. It seems eting him wasn’t the blessing I thought it was. Maybe I should never have t him. Maybe ignorance really was bliss.

"Just calm down," I heard him say, and the next thing I felt was a sudden embrace.

His arms wrapped around , warm and solid and real. For a mont, I could almost forget about the wheelchair, about my useless legs, about everything that made less than whole.

"It’s okay, I’m here," I heard him whisper, feeling his hand caress my back and hair with such gentleness it made cry harder.

But I still cried.

I cried because I knew this mont was borrowed ti. This might as well be the last ti he would pay any attention. Soon, he would find soone whole, soone who could give him everything I couldn’t.

In the end...

I will always be alone.

I am sorry, Mom, but I no longer see any reason to smile anymore. To be happy. To pretend that this half-life I’m living is enough.

Such a life...

Is it worth living?

....

....

A/N: Guys, more chaps, about 20 more on privilege. I tried my possible best to get them out of there, but I can’t, so if you afford it... Indulge !

A/N- Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give more motivation! Also, if you have enjoyed the story so far perhaps you can try dropping a review, the author would appreciate that, thanks!

Villain, out!