Leo, the Rake Leo was a notorious playboy. After we started dating, he seemed to settle down, shedding his wild ways. Everyone said he was utterly, madly in love with me. But later, I saw him with the girl who used to bully me, laughing as he said, “Audrey? She’s just a boring, utterly unappealing deaf girl. Honestly, playing with her was a total drag.” His half-brother chuckled, “You’re willing to let her go? That’s great. Next time you see her, remember to call her sister-in-law.” Leo completely freaked out. It was Valentine’s Day, and I went to the hospital for a follow-up. “Ms. Hayes, your hearing has recovered to 60%. You can gradually stop using your hearing aid from now on.” I was practically bursting with joy at the news. My first thought was to tell Leo. But sitting in the hospital hallway, I called him three times in a row, and each call was rejected. I waited for a long time, but there was still no reply in our SnapChat chat. Disappointed, I finally put my phone away. Unexpectedly, as soon as I stepped out of the hospital, I bumped into Julian Hayes. The man leaned against his car, tall and imposing, with a sharp, cold face. Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, every move he made exuded an effortless grace and aristocratic charm that drew admiring glances from passersby. “Mr. Hayes.” I greeted him, feeling a little stiff. “What a coincidence.” Julian Hayes, the youngest CEO of The Hayes Corporation. I’d heard Leo complain more than once about how his brother was a cold-blooded, ruthless corporate shark. At this moment, the handsome corporate shark pursed his lips and suddenly asked, “Are you planning to celebrate with Leo tonight?” I answered, flustered, “Leo hasn’t replied to my messages. He’s probably still busy…” Julian let out an almost imperceptible scoff. Seeing my confused gaze, he softened his voice, his tone laced with a hint of something tempting. “It’s alright. I’m not busy now. I’ll take you to him.” Julian drove me to an exclusive club. As I was getting out of the car, he suddenly called my name. “Ms. Hayes.” The emotion in his eyes was dark and unreadable. “Do you truly, genuinely like him that much?” I froze for a moment, then smiled. “Yes, I like him a lot.” I met Leo in high school. Back then, because of my hearing loss, I was bullied at school. Once, soaked to the bone and shivering like a drowned rat, covered in foul mop water, a confident, handsome boy appeared as if from nowhere. He took off his jacket and draped it over my head. Through my damaged hearing aid, I couldn’t hear anything, but I knew the hand that pulled me up was incredibly warm and strong. My young heart fluttered like a butterfly, soft and hopeful, stirred by that unexpected kindness. Years passed, and he remained as he was that first day. Julian watched me silently for a few seconds, then lowered his gaze. “Go on in. It’s cold out here.” Before I could say anything, he had already floored the gas pedal and driven towards the parking lot. I had no choice but to take the gift I’d prepared for Leo and walk into the club. From the slightly ajar door, flickering lights spilled out, and the smell of smoke and alcohol hit me. Leo was surrounded by people, his eyes slightly narrowed, a lazy, almost bored expression on his face. I reached out to push the door open, but then I stopped. Sitting next to Leo was a woman. Her back was to me, her figure tall and elegant, her face unseen. Only a cascade of red hair shone under the shifting lights, like silk. A strange unease settled in my stomach. Then I heard someone laugh loudly, “Scarlett, you don’t stand a chance. Leo’s already hooked by Little Apple. He’s a taken man now!” Suddenly, my ears felt hot. My name is Audrey. Little Apple. That was me. Leo was naturally carefree and wild. Before we dated, he drank, smoked, raced cars… indulging in every pleasure imaginable. As for girlfriends, he’d change them weekly, never truly caring. Only after he confessed his feelings for me did he calm down a lot. Even his friends would tease him, “Leo’s quieter than a mouse around his girlfriend. He’ll probably be totally whipped later on.” At that moment, I shouldn’t have doubted him. The Ms. Scarlett with her back to me let out a soft chuckle. Her voice sounded sweet and delicate, with a hint of defiance. “Leo, are you really with her?” Leo lifted his eyelids, giving her a dismissive glance, his expression cold. He took a sip of his drink before saying, “Audrey? She’s just a boring, utterly unappealing deaf girl. Honestly, playing with her was a total drag.”
Every word was slow, every syllable clear. It felt like I’d been punched square in the gut; I couldn’t react. The room fell silent, everyone staring at Leo in shock. Ms. Scarlett chuckled again. “Is that so? I heard she’s been with you for quite a while.” Leo’s face held a carefree smile, casual and unconcerned. “So what? She’s like an apple – not bad, but so boring, completely unappetizing. No one would actively seek one out, but if someone hands one to you, would you really refuse?” I stood rooted to the spot, utterly disbelieving. A chill swept through me, sinking deep into my bones. The world around me started to blur, the sounds fading into a distant hum. In a daze, I thought I heard Ms. Scarlett ask, her voice playfully whiny, “If she’s a boring apple, then what am I?” Leo hooked her chin, his smile dangerously seductive. “You, my dear, are my little cherry.” My body trembled uncontrollably, and the gift in my hand slipped, clattering to the floor. Everyone in the room turned to look at me. Leo froze for a second, then quickly regained his composure and started walking towards me. He didn’t know I had heard all those words. Because I wasn’t sure if the treatment would work, I had never told him that my hearing was gradually returning. My mind went blank. I didn’t know what to do, only frantically fumbling in my bag for my hearing aid. It was as if putting on the hearing aid would give me a sense of security. When I looked up again, Scarlett stood before me. She smiled, her eyes sparkling. “What’s with that expression? Ms. Hayes, don’t you recognize me?” My whole body trembled, my limbs stiff. It felt like I was naked, thrown into a brutal winter storm, every breath a struggle. The woman before me was strikingly beautiful, her smile open and generous, like a kind and pure princess of noble birth. But I knew the wicked heart beneath that mask! It was overturned meals, foul-smelling sewage, never-ending ridicule and pranks, wanton insults and rumors… How could it be her? It really was her! I used every ounce of strength I had to keep standing. Then I asked Leo, who was standing to the side, “She led the bullying against me in high school. Did you know?” Scarlett stood smiling. Her expression was gentle, but her eyes held a hint of mockery. Leo’s gaze flickered, avoiding mine. His tone was casual. “Is that so? Was there such a thing? I don’t really remember…” In that instant, I saw through Leo’s expression. My mind became crystal clear. I shook my head, a tearful smile on my face, correcting him. “You remember perfectly. You knew everything.” It was just that his heart had drifted away. Leo frowned. “Scarlett’s personality is a bit direct, but back then, it was just kids playing around. Audrey, don’t be so sensitive. Besides, why would Scarlett specifically target you? Were you at fault first?” The scars he had personally witnessed were now reduced to mere “sensitivity.” He even turned it around, asking if I was at fault first. I used to believe that the most precious thing in the world was true affection. But it turns out, hearts can be so fickle, so easily swayed. “Leo, you disgust me.” My chest felt hollowed out, as if a knife had carved out my very soul, but my resolve was stronger than ever. “We’re breaking up.” Leo’s face instantly darkened, his eyes clouding with an ominous anger. “Breaking up?” He scoffed. “Audrey, who do you think would want you besides me?” My face was pale, my head throbbing with pain, as I quickly turned and left. “Audrey, don’t you dare regret this!” I wouldn’t. Leo, I might be weak, but I will never regret this.
Outside, Julian was still there. His lips moved, saying something. But my ears were ringing, my steps unsteady, and I had no energy to pay attention to him, no energy to process the situation. I could only respond, my words tumbling out, disjointed and slurred: “Ears… hurt so much. Can’t hear.” Even my hearing aid was useless. Julian’s eyes widened with urgency, and some other emotion I couldn’t quite grasp. Before I could make sense of it, I fainted. I had a dream. The dream was chaotic yet familiar. A woman lay in a bathtub, gently beckoning to me. I ran to her, calling “Mom,” and heard her sigh, “If only I couldn’t hear anything, it would be so much better.” How could not hearing be better? Mom, I don’t understand. As I drew closer, I saw her skin was ashen, and the bathtub was filled with blood. Empty pill bottles were scattered across the cold, damp floor. I stumbled back a few steps, falling down the stairs. From then on, my ears heard no sound; the whole world seemed even quieter than a winter’s night. Looking up again, the scene suddenly shifted, but the empty pill bottles were still at my feet. Someone picked one up, shook a few pills into their mouth, and chewed them like candy. I cried out, rushing towards him, snatching the pills from his hand. “These are bitter. Little brother, I’ll give you candy, okay?” He took the candy, silently shedding tears, not speaking. The scene shifted again. A beautifully dressed girl smirked and said to the person next to her, “That little deafy is always so dull, so boring. Why don’t we cut her skirt?” Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand from behind. I couldn’t hear his voice, but his palm felt so warm and strong. Hope and joy surged in my heart, and I turned around, calling out, “Leo!” He affectionately ruffled my hair, smiling brightly. However, the next instant, his eyes turned cold, and he pushed me forward! I fell into a torrent of churning lava. Burning, painful, terrifying, bewildered. I couldn’t break free. In a blur, I felt parched. Suddenly, a soft, damp touch brushed my lips, bringing a comforting coolness. I used all my strength, my limbs wrapping around him, like a child desperate for candy, clinging on and refusing to let go. I ground against him, constantly taking, swallowing those few drops of moisture with desperate whimpers. But that coolness quickly turned to scorching heat, accompanied by deep gasps and unrestrained affection. “Hot,” I frowned, pulling away. “Little Apple…” someone whispered softly. I stubbornly tried to move away. That person sighed, a helpless yet indulgent sound, incredibly gentle. When he returned, he carefully wiped my forehead, hands, and feet with an alcohol-scented damp towel, repeating the motion tirelessly. Until I escaped the nightmare and fell into a peaceful sleep. I woke up the next morning. I was at Julian’s suburban mansion. He explained, “I was worried the night emergency room wouldn’t take good care of you, so I took the liberty of bringing you here and calling my family doctor.” I nodded, then heard him say, “Ms. Hayes, I’m hosting a dinner party here tomorrow night. Would you consider being my escort?” I instinctively wanted to escape. “I want to go back to school. My graduation project isn’t finished yet…” Julian thought for a moment, his expression serious. “This is a suburban area; you won’t be able to get a cab. And given the current fluctuations in your hearing, I can’t let you drive back alone. That would violate traffic safety laws.” …He had a point, and he had taken such good care of me yesterday. I couldn’t refuse. I could only carefully ask, “Will Leo be there tomorrow?” “Do you want to see him? If you don’t…” “No, no!” I quickly waved my hand. “It’s fine.” Julian had been so kind to take care of me when I was ill. Who was I to ask him to cause friction between brothers? Julian didn’t speak. After a long moment, he let out a soft, cool chuckle, and his gentle, clear eyes became unreadable. “Alright,” he said. “If you wish, then he’ll come.”
The Hayes family, true to their name, were the epitome of power and wealth in this city’s most affluent district. The room glittered with opulent gowns and sparkling jewels, filled with the murmur of conversations and the clinking of champagne flutes. The only downside was running into Scarlett. With no one nearby, she dropped her gentle facade. “Talking about breaking up with Leo, but still sniffing around like a stray dog. Audrey, do you even belong here? Are you worthy?” I didn’t want to get into it with her and turned to leave. A flash of malice crossed Scarlett’s eyes, and she actually grabbed my hair and yanked it back. “Did I say you could leave? Years apart, and your guts have certainly grown.” I was trembling with rage and tightly gripped Scarlett’s hand. My nails dug into her skin, leaving several clear red marks. Scarlett cried out in pain, her fury intensifying. She violently flung my hair away, tearing off my left hearing aid in the process. My hearing, which had been gradually recovering, had already faded due to the previous shock. Without a hearing aid now, I was completely deaf. “Stop!” My eyes burned red with fury as I tried to stop her. However, in the next instant, Scarlett’s high heel stomped fiercely on my hearing aid, grinding it into pieces. “You…” I gasped for air, enraged. “You’re going too far!” Scarlett actually smiled sweetly. “Oh, and what of it?” A fiery rage surged through me, threatening to consume me whole. I raised my hand and swung it, aiming for her temple! “Audrey!” I heard Leo shout from not far away. The commotion was quite loud, and scattered groups of people in the distance turned to look. Scarlett stood there, a bright red handprint on her face, utterly stunned. Leo quickly walked over, his face somewhat grim. He shielded Scarlett behind him. “Audrey, what are you doing?” My tone was cold. “What am I doing? Didn’t you see?” Leo sighed, softening his voice a little. “I know you came here specifically for me today. But in a place like this, you really shouldn’t make such a scene. Audrey, apologize to Scarlett, and I’ll forgive you, okay?” For a moment, I didn’t react. Then it dawned on me—he probably thought I had gone to all this trouble to show up here just to find a chance to get back together with him. Could a person’s cheek be this thick? “Leo, I remember telling you,” I said, every word slow and deliberate, “we’re already broken up.” Leo’s eyes darkened. “Audrey, don’t make a fuss. Apologize.” I almost scoffed. “Leo, do you want a slap too?” Leo abruptly seized my wrist, his expression clouded with dark fury. “Audrey, if you don’t back down, you’ll really lose your chance.” The next moment, someone chuckled from a distance. Leo looked behind me, his face suddenly changing. Julian walked forward with a relaxed stride, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. His voice, unwavering like mountains and seas, spoke. “In that case, next time you see her, remember to call her sister-in-law.” Leo and Scarlett were escorted out by security. The expressions on their faces as they left were a mix of shock and rage. Leo even yelled hoarsely, “Audrey, you can hate me, but you can’t choose him! What kind of good guy is Julian Hayes?!”
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