My Birthday, My Downfall novel Chapter 23

I was immensely grateful and asked him to help me draft a lawsuit.

After leaving the law firm, I took a taxi to another hospital for a full body checkup.

When the doctor told me my legs were still salvageable, I nearly cried with joy.

He explained that the car accident had caused my fallopian tubes to be blocked, preventing me from having children, but surgery could fix it.

As for my leg fracture, since it hadn’t worsened over the past five years, it could still be healed with surgery, and I’d be able to walk again.

"It’s obvious your family has taken good care of you these past five years. Otherwise, your legs would’ve been ruined by now."

Hearing the doctor’s remark, a sense of sadness filled my heart.

Little did he know, my family were the culprits who didn’t want me to stand again.

No, they weren’t my family anymore.

After leaving the hospital, I received another message from Gina.

In the photo, she was holding her son, leaning into James’s arms, with my parents sitting next to them.

A family of five, smiling brightly in the spacious villa.

On the wall behind them, in bold characters, was the inscription my father had written: [Family Harmony Brings Prosperity].

The five characters felt like a burning brand to my heart. Their "family" had never included me.

I stumbled back home, lying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

I didn’t know how long it was before I heard the butler’s voice outside the door-they had returned.

The bedroom door gently opened, and James walked to the bedside, bending down to hold me.

"Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy with work these past few days and couldn’t be with you."

"Your birthday is the day after tomorrow. I’ve already discussed with my parents, and we’re going to make it a special day for you."

I remained silent, not acknowledging him.

He kissed my forehead, tucked me in, and left.

I suddenly remembered-five years ago, on my birthday.

It was the day my parents announced they were going to arrange my engagement to James, which prompted Gina to crash into me with her car, leaving me disabled.

For the five years I had been brought back into this family, I always felt restrained, unable to act as naturally with my parents as Gina did.

At our birthday party, Gina was always the one who stole the spotlight, greeting guests I didn’t even know.

She said, "Only I deserve this party. You, an orphan, don’t deserve it!"

She always liked to steal my thunder. I knew she wouldn’t let this one slip by.

So when I saw her at the birthday party, I was strangely calm, not feeling a single ripple.

Gina was dressed as a waitress, wearing a mask, and stood right in front of me.

When the family realized it was her, their expressions were a mix of surprise and shock.

"What are you doing here? This is nonsense! If she finds out, all these years of work will be for nothing!"

Dad scolded her quietly, while Mom begged, "Gina hasn’t been back in so many years. She just missed home, why are you being so harsh?"