The Night I Was Replaced

"If it weren't for me, how would you have the money to get him this special stew?"

My mom did not know what to say, and she looked pretty mad as I finished the stew.

Just then, Janet came down the stairs, sounding worried. "Honey, why did you come down alone? I couldn't find you in the bathroom, and I got so scared."

"You still care about me, huh?" I said.

Janet poked my chest and pouted. "Are you still mad about me being with Elliot? I did it for you, you know."

She blushed and looked at Elliot with shy eyes. "Plus, Elliot's got something special. The doctor said I got pregnant last night. Now you see why I did it, right?"

Thinking about the pregnancy test made me feel sick. I shoved her away and started to gag.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Janet came over fast and wiped my mouth without hesitating.

My heart skipped a beat, but then she kept talking. "Have you been working too hard lately? Please take care of yourself. I don't want to worry about you.

"Just call for a press conference at the company, tell them I'm pregnant with our baby, and let Elliot take over as chairman for a while. He can run things for you."

She sounded like she had rehearsed her words, getting smoother as she spoke.

I opened my eyes wide and realized she felt like a stranger to me then. Ever since we were kids, I was the one who got the short end of the stick next to Elliot. Our parents and friends always preferred him.

I even had to quit school and work so that he could study!

I spent half my life being underestimated, but I worked hard and built my own business empire.

Now, the woman I loved most was trying to push me aside!

Janet noticed I was not responding and looked down, puzzled. Then, she saw the new doctor by my side and quickly pushed him away.

"Honey, why did you get a new doctor? I thought your mom and I were taking care of you?"

However, I could see the disgust in their eyes when they looked at my leg.

"Who's your husband?" I shot back.

I pointed at Elliot. "You were with my brother last night. Be careful with your words."

Janet could not pretend anymore and asked me sharply, "What are you saying?"

I threw the divorce papers on the table. "Sign these. We're getting a divorce."

She stared at me, shocked. "You've lost your mind. I won't sign! All this over last night? I already explained that. Can't you let it go?"

Elliot looked guilty and held her hand, "I'm sorry, Janet. It's my fault. He's mad at me. Don't be mad. He's always been like this. I'll talk to him, and it'll be okay."

Elliot ignored my protests and pushed me into the bedroom.

"Yale, why fight with Janet? I know you're hurting too." He knelt down on one knee, trying too hard to look sincere as he gave me advice.

"Why are you acting? Just say what you mean," I told him.

Elliot gave me a mean look, his voice full of envy, "Yale, you've always been like this, acting so smart it makes me want to throw up!"

He tossed a document at me. "Sign this, and hand over the chairman's seat to me!!"

I just laughed it off. "With the way you think, you're not even close to making me step down."

That made Elliot really mad. His face turned tomato red as he yelled, "You think you're so great, you... You with your crippled legs!"

"Even with crippled legs, I can still outsmart you," I shot back.

At that, Elliot stopped, then started laughing like he just figured something out. He kept hitting my legs as he laughed.

"Oh, you don't know yet? How do you think your legs got like that?"

I clenched my arms tight, holding onto the wheelchair.