Chapter 3 - The Miracle and the ShadowPain exploded through Julian's body.
He gasped.
His fingers crushed the armrests of his wheelchair.
For the first time in seven years, he could feel his legs.
Not completely.
Not clearly.
But enough.
Enough to make the impossible suddenly feel terrifyingly close.
The ballroom fell silent.
Julian slowly leaned forward.
His feet touched the marble.
His knees trembled violently.
He pushed against the armrests.
Someone screamed.
Someone dropped a champagne glass.
Julian rose.
One inch.
Then another.
His legs shook beneath him.
But they held.
He stood.
The ballroom erupted.
People shouted.
Phones appeared.
Victoria stumbled backward, her face turning white.
Julian stared at his own legs as tears filled his eyes.
Then he laughed.
A broken, disbelieving laugh.
He had forgotten what it felt like to be tall.
To stand above the world.
He turned toward Lily and lifted her into his arms.
"You did it."
Lily wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I told you."
But while everyone celebrated, Julian noticed something cold in his palm.
The vial.
A crimson symbol was etched into the glass.
He looked toward the balcony.
A man in a black coat stood in the shadows.
On his wrist was the same symbol.
The man smiled.
Then disappeared.
Julian's smile vanished.
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The miracle had a price.
And someone had just come to collect it.
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