Chapter 1: Fall of honor “Kage. Do it. Don’t die! If you fall, you fall with honor!” Kage assured himself, clutching the wheels of his wheelchair. He had been disabled since the accident. The mysterious accident that almost claimed his life. He stared at the clock. It was past 11. His wife had not returned. It had been happening this way for the last few months. Since he became disabled. It was like he suddenly got lost into the shadows. Like she tossed him in a corner of their condo. If she was there for him like he had always been there for her, he could’ve been able to walk already. Still, Kage set aside his fear and rolled the first step. His hands clinched the rail for his dear life for one mistake and it would be game over. Soon, his bravery was paying off. He was doing it; he was on the fourth step. He was finally making it down the stairs, without the help of anyone. He couldn’t wait to show this to his doctor the following day. But as for tonight, he was more th

Chapter 3: Gone with the wind He woke in the quiet solitude of his bedroom, the emptiness of a strange comfort after months of simmering Love. First things first, his wheelchair had to go. Folding it up, he grinned. He wouldn’t be needing it again. He showered, dressed in a crisp, tailored suit; a far cry from the worn bathrobe he’d been living in. Then, he gathered his important documents and the things he needed. "Now this is Kage Alen" he chuckled to himself in front of the mirror. He knew he had become the man. The man he was always meant to be. Descending the stairs, the tinge of raw egg filled his nostrils. The kitchen was a chaotic mess: Green liquid greased the counter next to the unwashed blender. A half-filled glass jar, still containing kale juice was placed next to raw kales— signs of Clara's hasty departure for her usual Friday morning jog. "Great" he muttered, utterly disgusted. Kage knew he would miss this place, the mini-duplex that had once felt like a ho

chapter 5: A little bit perfect Kage sat in his office, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the polished mahogany desk. It was 6 pm. His shift was almost over. He wasn't expecting any visitors, especially not Clara. As much as he would enjoy watching her suffer her repercussions, he doesn't feel like tolerating her at the moment. He could vouch that she saw him earlier today, something told him she didn't get it easy as usual. Three days of silence had stretched between them, a fragile peace after the explosive fallout of their last encounter. He opened the email from his morning meeting, a virtual call with the top executives of Allen Creed Hospital and Pharmaceuticals. A slow, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips as he read the report. The subtle shift in his posture, the way his fingers lightly tapped the desk, betrayed the quiet satisfaction he felt, the power he wielded from the shadows, the empire he secretly controlled.He was enjoying this too much al

Chapter 7: Alibi The evening called and all Clara could do was watch. It was the last days of September—this time last year, she was on vacation with Matt in Bali, Indonesia. Well, not this time. Clara sat hunched over her laptop, composing a second email to the scholarship committee at her university. The first was sent four days ago when she first got the news. She had demanded an explanation for the sudden termination of her scholarship and stipend, citing unlawful practices. She needed that money; her trip to the Maldives was already booked. A frustrated sigh escaped her lips. The enormous cost of the trip, originally charged to Kage’s card, fueled another wave of resentment. If only he hadn't canceled her out, she wouldn't be thinking about touching her salary while having her school issues. “That useless cripple,” she muttered under her breath, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she emphasized the urgency of her situation. '....this is absolutely unfair to halt my

"I will check that later" Kage said to himself. He was referring to a new notification. His attention was fixed on his computer, Checking his email and sorting things. Being a manager wasn't so bad after all. He owns the hospital, but getting a normal treatment was something he enjoyed. Almost a week had passed since Kage started at Bridge Hospital, and for the first time in a while, he felt the profound satisfaction that only saving lives could bring. There was something about saving people, the look on their face, the pure gratitude, It was a potent reminder of why he'd chosen this path – the chance to make a difference, despite his personal past struggles. The act continued. He knew he no longer needed the wheelchair. He sat in his wheelchair connected to his table in his office, reviewing a patient's chart, something seemed off. The treatment should have been effective. His attention moved to the open door. A strained smile flashed across his face as