Our son is getting married. We are so happy that his bride is Madison, a beautiful girl from a wealthy family. Not Hailey, a simple country girl. Victoria Hayes, the famous owner of a chain of beauty salons and spa resorts, bragged about her future daughter-in-law to her friends.
Ethan only heard these words when he came home from work. He was the CFO of his mother’s company. Victoria Hayes proudly introduced her grown son to her longtime friend, Sophia, who had come from abroad to attend her godson’s wedding. Sophia was amazed at how much Ethan had grown up. He was young, tall, and healthy.
The study abroad had served its purpose, and the business was thriving. They had recently moved with their mother to a new home in Bel Air. That is the name of the newly built luxury residential complex that is discreetly built for businessmen and politicians.
Much of Victoria Hayes’ business success is due to Charles Bennett, a famous investor who invested heavily in the project. Although aesthetics are not her main focus, she does it for her daughter, Madison. She is a smart, well-groomed girl who attracts the attention and hearts of many young men.
After meeting Ethan at a mutual acquaintance’s birthday party, Madison catches his eye.
Ethan is so infatuated with her that he completely forgets about his relationship with Hailey, whom he met by chance a few months ago in a rural town. That day, his friend Dylan, the main driving force of the group, is celebrating his college graduation in a luxurious country house.
After a few drinks, the group decides to go to a country club, where Dylan jokes about Ethan and his new friend, Hailey. They thought a country girl was out of place in the group and was only good at cleaning toilets. Dylan frowned and then suggested the following plan.
Let’s prank this girl so she understands her place and doesn’t poke her nose into things she shouldn’t. Ethan, ask her to dance. Make her feel like a princess, show her you care, and then walk away.
We’ll play a trick on this naive country bumpkin. Ethan agreed. Why don’t you come up with something like that for fun?
When the slow music started, Ethan approached the girl and asked, “Shall I ask you to dance?”
She, holding her breath, replied yes. Her wide eyes looked up at him, her face almost makeup-free, her lips sensual as if yearning for his kiss. “What’s your name?” Ethan asked.
“My name’s Hailey,” the girl replied. “And I’m Ethan. Would you like to see me again?” he suggested.
“Yes, of course,” Hailey replied without hesitation. They talked a lot that night and danced; from the outside, it even seemed like they were very close people, who had fallen in love at first sight.
At the end of the passionate evening, Ethan asked the girl out.
Hailey was over the moon and, without hesitation, agreed to meet him the next day.
The weekend flew by, and then Ethan headed out into the city. On the way home, he reflected on the new sensations he’d experienced.
Thinking he might spend the following weekend with Hailey, he realized it probably wouldn’t happen. Her mother had opened a new beauty salon, and there was a lot of work.
However, shortly after, he had a fateful encounter with Madison, who would become his wife.
Ethan was already thinking about his wedding and choosing a suit at an expensive boutique. He struggled to decide, but the saleswoman assured him that any suit would look wonderful on him. Meanwhile, in the bridal salon, Madison was carefully examining the wedding dresses.
She commented, “This is too exquisite, too modest, and doesn’t suit my status. But this dress is perfect—extraordinarily beautiful, formal, and yet romantic. In two days, Ethan and Madison will have a big event—it’s a big event.” They will become husband and wife…
The marriage registration will take place at the municipal courthouse, and the celebration will be held in a prestigious suburban community on the outskirts of the city. The last days of summer passed unnoticed, filled with wedding preparations.
And now, the newlyweds, nervous as schoolchildren before an exam, appear before the court clerk who will soon register their marriage.
Amid the cheers of the guests, the young couple stepped into a luxurious limousine. Ethan was focused on his worries and plans, oblivious to his past love affair with Hailey. However, Hailey always remembered him.
Accidentally learning of their wedding, she was deeply saddened, but she found the strength to go to the courthouse. Seeing him with his new wife, she felt immense pain and ran away, ignoring those around her. The wedding celebration itself was magnificent.
The congratulations, music, jokes, and laughter continued well into the night. The most important gift was the keys to their own apartment, given to them by the bride’s father, Charles Bennett. She and Ethan were already dreaming of being alone together.
“Let’s get away from everyone,” Ethan suggested, smiling. “Come on,” Madison replied decisively. As they crossed the threshold of the bedroom for their first wedding night, they were amazed.
The room was tastefully decorated at Ethan’s request, exceeding all expectations. “I have another surprise for you,” Ethan said with a smile, taking an envelope containing tickets and a travel voucher for two from his jacket pocket. It was their honeymoon, which he had arranged as a gift for his beloved Madison.
“You’re just my magician,” he said admiringly, accepting the gift. “Not yet, but I’ll soon become a real magician for you,” Ethan smiled mysteriously. He planned to arrange a real fairy tale for her very soon.
He didn’t know what had prompted him to arrange this surprise, but he was sure it would make Madison happy. The dormitory balcony was decorated with lanterns and glowing candles. When Ethan stepped out onto the balcony, he noticed the garlands hanging a little crooked.
The man decided to fix them, but suddenly lost his balance and fell from the third floor. A loud impact echoed throughout the courtyard, making Madison shudder in horror. She ran to the balcony and saw Ethan lying motionless on the asphalt, surrounded by pools of blood.
The next few minutes were filled with panic and fear. Suddenly, he screamed. His scream attracted doctors, ambulances, and the other guests.
Shock, shocked faces, stretchers, and surgery: it was all like a blur for Madison. Finally, after a two-hour operation, she asked the doctor about Ethan’s condition. “Will he make it?” she asked anxiously.
Young body, he’ll survive. The doctor paused. She sensed something was wrong and screamed.
What happened? The doctor’s response was shocking. Ethan will no longer be able to walk; his spine is broken. With fear, she realized it wasn’t a nightmare, but reality…
Is there any chance of recovery? she asked in a trembling voice. The doctor replied that there’s always a chance, but in his case, it’s slim.
“I’ll do my best, but I’m not promising a miracle,” he added at the end of the conversation.
As she left the hospital, she felt her world crumble. She called her father, Charles Bennett, and burst into tears. “Dad, what do I do? I can’t handle this.”
I’m used to a strong, male shoulder, and now she’s a wreck. Hopelessness overwhelms her. “Dad, listen, my youth and beauty will be wasted.”
I can’t stand it.” She wouldn’t let her father say a word; she continued to cry on the phone. Don’t worry, my daughter. I understand it’s difficult for you, but you made this choice.
We’ll find the best doctors; everything will be fine. A month later, Ethan was discharged from the hospital, but his depression didn’t go away. He refused the wheelchair, but understood that he would inevitably have to accept it.
She avoided her husband; his presence reminded her of the life she’d lost. Once, her friend Chloe called and suggested they unwind at a corporate event. “Maddie, are you coming?” Chloe asked.
“But you know my situation, friend,” she replied. “Yes, I know, everything’s fine, but we need to get our minds off our problems.” “Come on,” Chloe insisted.
So she braced herself, couldn’t resist the temptation, didn’t give herself a minute to think, just grabbed her things and tried to slip away from Ethan without him noticing. But unfortunately, his gaze was already fixed on her. “Where are you going?” his voice sounded hoarse.
“Just a minute at a friend’s house, I’ll be back soon,” she snapped at her husband, feeling his fists clench in pain and a tear rolling down his cheek. He was home less and less. And he was coming home later and later.
Rumors swirled that she had a new boyfriend. And then came the day she decided to get serious with Ethan. “I’m so sorry it turned out this way,” she began.
But let’s be honest: you have a disability, and I want to live a full life. With you, that won’t happen; I’m filing for divorce. And I’ll keep the apartment, since my dad bought it.
You and your mom have your own wonderful apartment. Ethan couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He pulled away from Madison and whispered under his breath, “Go.”
And just a few days later, his ex-girlfriend kicked him out of the apartment. “Everything will be okay, don’t worry,” his mother consoled him. But to Ethan, these words sounded empty and mocking.
Mom, listen, what could possibly go right? I’m disabled, and no one needs me. I don’t want to live anymore, he said with difficulty, holding back his tears.
His mother simply grabbed his hand and burst into tears. Ethan’s friends also became mere decorations. They stopped by once, and then disappeared…
But their parties didn’t stop, and now the new couple, Madison and her boyfriend, were especially popular. They attended every party like stars of the show, and everyone talked about it. Once, all of Ethan’s friends ended up in the same town where they used to party together at the country dance club.
“Oh, how fun it is here. These country beauties and handsome boys are so funny, like in a comedy,” Madison laughed, addressing her new admirer. But she didn’t even notice that Hailey herself, whom Ethan already knew, had been staring at her for quite a while.
Hailey couldn’t contain her excitement and approached the group of cheerful young people.
“And where’s Ethan?” she asked anxiously. The boys exchanged confused glances, not knowing what to say.
But Madison, with unwavering confidence, blurted it out immediately: “Ethan’s gone. Now we have an unfortunate invalid.”
Hailey glared at Madison with hatred. Inside, rage boiled like a volcano about to erupt. “So why are you here?” she yelled.
You should be with your husband, not dancing here at the disco. You’re worthless. The next moment, Hailey burst into tears, ran out of the club, and went to the city the next day.
She didn’t know what exactly she was looking for, but she found Victoria Hayes’s address. Finally, the hostess answered her insistent knock. “What are you looking for?” she snapped.
“Can I see Ethan?” Hailey asked, unfazed by Victoria Hayes’s stern tone. “And who is he?” Victoria Hayes asked, rounding the corner. “It’s that same Hailey from the country,” the girl replied with a smile.
“Did you really come here just to gloat over my son? I won’t allow it. I love him; his problems are my problems,” Victoria Hayes said resolutely. Hailey answered sincerely.
“I’m willing to help you.” But soon Ethan’s desperate scream was heard. Victoria Hayes simply waved her hand, refusing to interfere.
Ethan thought in horror, “Why did you let her in? She’s enjoying my misfortune after I left her.” “Why are you here?” he asked Hailey. “To get revenge,” the girl replied.
“Since you left me, you deserved this treatment,” she said, not giving in to the provocations. But in response to her words, Ethan, in the heat of the moment, began to accuse her, wanting to provoke a conflict. But Hailey remained calm and steadfast, willing to help despite all obstacles.
Hailey remained as calm as a rock when Ethan tried to provoke her. “Don’t talk about what you don’t know,” she said without a single tremor in her voice. Ethan was stunned.
Where do you get this pride? I left you and married someone else. But Hailey simply replied, “I can’t remain indifferent when you’re suffering.” At night, in the narrow room, Hailey couldn’t sleep…
A sound like rustling sand woke her from her restless sleep. Listening closely, she realized it was coming from Ethan’s room.
He threw off the blanket, flew into a rage as if he’d received an electric shock, and ran to Ethan.
There she found him stirring a cloudy liquid next to some papers on the floor. Hailey instantly understood what was happening. Ethan was on the verge of despair, but at the last moment, Hailey saved him from suicide.
Her words touched him and gave him hope for the future. She convinced him that there were ways to overcome the disease, including physical exercises and special equipment. Ethan promised to try and overcome it with renewed strength.
Victoria Hayes spared no expense to provide her son with the best equipment and an experienced trainer.
But when the man felt pain after the first exercises, he abandoned the training and simply fired the trainer. Hailey couldn’t understand where she got the strength to convince Ethan to train again.
Despite his many failures, she didn’t give up and fought for him again and again. “Poor thing, she has to endure so much,” Victoria Hayes exclaimed more than once. But Hailey didn’t stop; she was willing to do anything for her beloved.
Hailey was a true guardian angel for Ethan. Her love and devotion were immeasurable, and every day she demonstrated her willingness to fight for him.
Thanks to her efforts and support, Ethan began to believe in himself and his strength again.
The doctors were amazed by Ethan’s good health and spirits. However, when Hailey had to be away for a few days, Ethan experienced fear and anxiety.
His heart yearned for her presence, and every day without her felt like an eternity.
But finally, Hailey returned, and an atmosphere of tenderness and caring enveloped them once again. Ethan’s gaze was filled not only with gratitude, but also with love for this strong and determined woman.
Hailey and Ethan were connected not only by their mutual care but also by the incredible power of love, which helped them overcome all difficulties.
And although the road to recovery was long and complicated, they were willing to walk it together, hand in hand. That Saturday, with exceptionally warm and sunny weather, Ethan and Hailey decided to enjoy a walk in the park.
As they playfully tossed the fallen reddish-yellow leaves into the air, they felt like children engaged in a joyful game.
But suddenly, Hailey felt ill; her smile transformed into a pale face. Ethan panicked. “Hailey, what’s wrong? You’re not sick, are you?”
But Hailey reassured him that everything would be okay.
However, Hailey’s words about the child she was expecting made Ethan go from joy to utter fear. Unexpectedly, he stood up, holding onto the handlebars of his wheelchair.
Hailey hugged him tightly and assured him that everything would be okay.
Ethan’s face reflected a mixture of emotions: joy and fear at the same time, but also confidence that he and Hailey would be able to overcome all the difficulties in their path.