Chapter 2

I went back to my rental.

When I unstrapped the prosthetic, the skin beneath was chafed to a bloody ruin.

Five years ago, right after I got locked up, Greg visited. He laughed like a maniac,

"Luke, you know how wild Vanessa is in bed?"

"Don't worry. Stay inside. I'll take real good care of your wife, your house, even your company."

I lost it and slammed the glass, screaming.

That same night, some inmates dragged me into a blind spot with no cameras.

They used metal rods to smash my leg inch by inch.

"Someone paid good money for this leg."

I was bedridden for six months. The infection got so bad they had to amputate.

Back then, I hated. But five years in prison turned that hate into nothing.

The next morning, urgent knocking woke me up.

I thought it was the landlord chasing rent. It was Vanessa.

"Luke, I made you chicken soup and mashed potatoes."

She walked right in,

"Don't take Greg's words to heart yesterday. That's just how he is."

"I came to talk about your future."

I leaned against the doorframe, staring coldly,

"What future does a designated driver have?"

"Ms. Attorney, go home. Don't dirty your designer clothes."

Vanessa turned around and sighed,

"Luke, don't talk like that. Just apologize to Mia and get her forgiveness. I'll let you come back to the firm."

"You can't practice law, but there's a cleaning position available."

"30 grand a year. Enough to live on."

She lifted her chin slightly, waiting for me to be grateful.

I couldn't help but laugh,

"Vanessa, you want me to apologize to someone who framed me?"

Vanessa's face darkened instantly,

"Luke! You still won't admit your mistake?"

"If I hadn't pulled strings for leniency as your wife, you think you'd only get five years?"

She got more worked up and stepped forward to drag me out.

I shoved her hand away,

"Vanessa, did you actually read the case file back then?"

"Why did the hotel hallway cameras conveniently break?"

"And what drug was in the drink I had that night?"

My questions made her freeze for a second.

But quickly, she cut me off impatiently,

"Enough, Luke! Are you saying Greg and Mia teamed up to frame you?"

"I came here to help you. Don't be ungrateful!"

I pointed at the door, voice ice-cold,

"I don't need your help. Get the fuck out."

Vanessa's eyes widened. She couldn't believe I'd talk to her this way,

"Luke, you're delusional! Think you're still that hotshot lawyer from before?"

"You're a cripple now! An ex-con!"

She slammed the door and left.

That afternoon, as I was about to take an order, the platform sent a notification.

My driver account was permanently banned due to customer complaints.

The complaint: disabled pervert driver attempted to assault female passenger.

Didn't need to guess who did it.

Greg, you really couldn't wait.