You don’t hear the fall at first, because pride is louder than pain.
Then your shoulder slams the cold marble and the sound echoes through the mansion like a verdict.
Your breath stutters, sharp and ugly, the way it does when reality wins.
Your legs don’t respond, not even a flicker, not even a lie.
The wheelchair sits just out of reach, a cruel reminder that distance can be measured in inches.
You try to drag yourself anyway, elbows burning, jaw clenched, refusing to be seen.
You whisper a curse at your own body, because you can’t fire it, can’t buy it, can’t threaten it into obedience.
And that’s when the front door opens.