Blaire's POV
I could barely keep my mind together,the noise grinding at my sanity like a thousand needles.The shrill,jarring sound filled every corner of my head,making it impossible to focus on anything else.
It felt like it was pushing me to the edge.I might lose myself completely if I didn't get away from it soon.
Then,the pressure in my ears became unbearable.
Blood trickled down my nose,and I could feel the dampness spreading beneath my fingers as I desperately tried to block out the noise.But it wouldn't stop.No matter how hard I pressed my ears,the sound seeped in like water filling a cup.
This...this was worse than death.
My head was spinning,dizziness overwhelming me,when suddenly I heard the metal door slam open.
My heart skipped a beat,and through the noise,I saw him.
'Julian...'
He charged in,his face etched with worry.
Without saying a word,he slipped noise-cancelling headphones over my ears,cutting off the maddening sounds that had tortured me for so long.I could feel the relief instantly as if the air had finally cleared.
"Don't be afraid.I got you,Blaire,"he mouthed to me,his lips forming the words with a comforting yet urgent look."I'm here to protect you."
He then gave me a reassuring nod,signalling I was safe.I collapsed into his arms,weak,sweaty,and trembling.I felt a breath of peace wash over me for the first time.The warmth of his embrace was like stepping into a safe haven,so completely different from the chaos I'd just endured.
However,just as I felt pleasant,my heart sank as I heard a man silently enter with a heavy presence.
I tugged Julian’s hand as I immediately realised it was the sound of Henry’s footsteps.Fear crawled to me but Julian kept patting my back.
“What are you doing here…?”I gulped as I tried to distance myself from Julian.
I didn't want Henry to do something to him.He always seemed cool on the surface,but I knew who he really was.
"Let go of her!"I flinched as Henry’s voice thundered across the ward.“What a great audacity you have to stand there,holding my girlfriend.”
I bit my lips and tried to push Julian away but he didn't move away.Instead,he held me tighter,rubbing my hands.
And,before I could realise it,Henry launched a kick as Julian groaned in pain.
“Julian,are you okay?Does it hurt?”I asked,anxiously.But as I remembered about Henry,I pushed him away.
"Where did you come from,loser?How dare you touch my woman?"he sneered before he observed him carefully."Oh,you're the ophthalmologist,I said,mockingly laughing."Do you really think I can't ruin your career with a single phone call?"
“Julian…”I murmured as I signed him to leave but he remained on my side.
Sighing,I said,"If it weren't for Dr.Young,I'd be deaf by now."I clenched my teeth.My heart throbbed with pain as tears dropped down."Henry,I'm already blind.Can you really bear to let me suffer more?"
"No,I never wanted this for you.I'm just worried about you.That's why I came back without even eating..."Henry rushed to explain.
I didn't believe Henry-not for a second.But I had to play along.
For Julian's sake,I had to pretend.
So,I forced myself to take a deep breath and put on a smile,the kind that didn't reach my eyes.
"Yes,I know you were just trying to help me with my hearing.This must've been a medical accident.It's okay,"I said,my voice hollow,the words bitter as they left my mouth."Let's go home now."
The moment I said that,I saw the change in Henry's face.
His eyes lit up with some twisted kind of joy,and before I could stop him,he pulled me into a tight,suffocating embrace,pressing kisses into my cheek,his arms wrapping around me possessively.
I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise as his lips touched my skin.His scent was all over me,and I could feel him inhaling deeply like I was something he owned.
My insides churned in suffocation.
As we returned back to the mansion,my heart was again filled with anxiety,fear,and a subtle anger.
I was again back at this hopeless mansion.
As I was trying to get some water for myself,I overheard Vivian and Henry.
I didn't mean to eavesdrop but hearing Vivian’s voice,I froze.
"Have you changed your mind?We agreed to make her blind,deaf,and mute!We've only managed to complete one of those!Are you stopping the plan from moving forward,Henry?"
My heart clenched.She had never once liked me.And,I had suffered all because of her.When will they finally let me go?
"Vivian,when you had your car accident,you just had a few fractures.I've already made Blaire suffer a broken bone.Do we really need to strip her of her sight,hearing,and voice?"
My lips widened.Was he protecting me?It was funny.I was sure my ears were playing a trick on me.
Vivian’s voice cracked."You don't love me anymore!Fine,I'll leave!We'll never see each other again!I'll tell my dad to stop doing business with you!"
I pursed my lips.I knew what was going to happen now.
Henry rushed,his voice filled with panic,"Wait,Vivian..."
I sighed.I didn't need to listen to know what was going to happen.Shaking my head,I returned to my room.
An hour later,Henry arrived at my room.
"Baby,I've come to see you,"Henry said softly,his fingers brushing against my face."How's your ear feeling now?"
I could see Vivian sitting right behind him,but I had no choice but to pretend I didn't.So,I stared at the ceiling,playing the part of the blind woman once again.
"There's still some ringing in my ears,"I replied flatly."I'm fine.You can go ahead and do your thing."
Out of the corner of my eye,I saw it.
Vivian was kissing Henry,her hand slipping under his shirt and tracing Adam's apple.The scene was a slap to my face.This pair of shameless lovers thought I couldn't see,that I was just a stupid,blind woman.
My heart burned with fury.It was like someone had set fire to my insides.I wanted to scream.I wanted to throw myself at them and tear them apart.But I couldn't.I was trapped in silence,unable to do a thing.
"Why aren't you saying anything,baby?"Henry asked,his voice soft,like he was trying to soothe me.He gripped my hand while keeping Vivian close."Aren't you happy to see me?”
My voice trembled under the weight of everything."I...I'm very happy."
Henry didn't seem to notice the pain in my words.He allowed Vivian to continue kissing him before leaning down to kiss me.
His voice was soft,coaxing like he was trying to calm me down."Do you love me?"
The question made my stomach turn.I struggled to hold back the tears.
I had to force a smile,even as the disgust threatened to choke me."I think I'll answer
that question after The Sapphire Blade's premiere."
"Why's that?"he asked,clearly puzzled.
My heart twisted,but I held my ground."Because'The Sapphire Blade'represents everything I feel for you,Henry.You'll understand after you watch it.”
