Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes, the first person I saw was Ella. Even though I'd resolved to no longer yearn for her love, my heart still skipped a beat at the sight of her.

"Why would you investigate the climbing chalk? It's a waste of time. Look, you're awake now. Tell Alex to stop digging into it," she said impatiently without a shred of concern.

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly to myself.

I shouldn't bother hoping for something from her.

"There's something wrong with the climbing chalk. I told Alex to investigate it," I replied coldly, not wanting to appease her anymore.

Then, as the attending doctor explained the extent of my injuries, it felt as though I was listening to the death sentence of my career.

My legs were ruined. I could walk, but I could never climb again.

Climbing wasn't just a sport to me; it was my passion, the one thing I'd defied my family for to pursue as a lifelong career. And now, it was as if half my soul had been ripped away.

My cold response surprised Ella, and she paused for a few seconds before remarking with disdain, "Oh, please. Drop the excuse. That was your fault.

"If you were as skilled as you claim, you wouldn't need chalk to reach the top. Anyway, it's over. You can't climb anymore, but I'll take care of you for the rest of your life. Just let it go."

Ella rarely involved herself in my matters.

Why was she so insistent on ending this investigation? And so quick to dismiss my loss?

Then, realization dawned on me.

Owen had been the only person to touch my climbing chalk before the competition.

Moments before I went onstage, he'd approached me and said Ella wanted to see it. I'd handed it over without hesitation. After all, I'd never denied Ella anything.

When he returned the chalk, I didn't think twice and took it straight to the competition. But halfway through, the chalk felt… off. It had become slippery.

Still, I didn't stop. My only thought was to win the championship and make Ella proud of me.

That blind trust had led me to this.

It was Owen. It had to be him.

Just then, Alex burst into the room, out of breath. "Ron, I saw the security footage! It was Owen. He switched your climbing chalk!"

So it was him. He destroyed my life, and I wasn't going to let him get away with it.

"Alex, call the police," I said firmly without sparing Ella a glance.

"You can't call the police!" Ella shouted, her voice sharp with alarm. "Owen's about to commence his job at the research institute. If he gets a criminal record, his future will be ruined!"

She continued, "Ronald, don't be so petty. Just because your career is over doesn't mean you have to drag him down too. I said I'd take care of you for the rest of your life. What more do you want?"

Ella didn't even try to deny it. Her reaction confirmed she'd known the truth all along.

Why? I couldn't understand it.

"You knew he switched the chalk, didn't you?" I asked, staring right at her. I refused to believe she would allow Owen to do that to me.

"I did. So what?" Ella faltered for a moment but quickly regained her composure, and her tone turned defensive. "It's not his fault. He's always been terrible at sports. Seeing you win would've upset him."

Rage burned through me as I clenched my injured hand tightly. I couldn't feel the pain anymore—only the fury coursing through me.

"Then why didn't you stop him?" I bellowed.

"Why are you yelling at me? Owen said he just didn't want you to win. He didn't mean for you to get hurt," she snapped back.

It was the first time I'd raised my voice at her.

Ignoring my injuries, she hurled her purse at me and roared, "Don't turn this into a crime of jealousy. So what if you can't climb anymore? It's not the end of the world. I'll open a climbing gym for you, okay?

"You're just unlucky. It's no one else's fault. And don't forget, I'm the one financially supporting you. Drop it already! If you keep this up, we might as well get a divorce!"

Ella looked at me arrogantly as if certain I would back down at the mention of divorce.

My gaze turned cold, and I replied coolly, "Fine."