"I'm narrow-minded and hurt when I see another girl."

Aidan was well-known for playing around in his circle, and his attitude towards Aubree made me feel threatened.

Birdie's eyes were slightly red, as if deeply aggrieved, tears falling heavily.

"Mr. White, I've made Lucie angry. I shouldn't have come tonight..."

Aidan patiently comforted her. "Aubree, you're here because I brought you. No one can make you leave."

When Birdie looked at me, there was a hint of provocation and disdain in her eyes.

I stepped forward and slapped her. "Do you know your place, you bitch?"

Turning to Aidan, I said firmly, "Either break up with her or break up with me."

Aidan furrowed his brows, his voice still casual. "Lucie, are you deliberately making things difficult for me?"

3

The room fell silent.

Aubree stepped forward, ripped off my hearing aid, and threw it hard on the ground.

"I'm Mr. White's true love. You're just occupying the title of girlfriend. Have you no shame? Those who aren't loved are the third wheels!"

Birdie spoke boldly, steadfastly defending her so-called love.

Everyone present looked at each other, amazed at the girl's bravery.

I picked up the broken hearing aid from the ground and calmly said, "This hearing aid is a custom version worth thirty thousand dollars. How are you gonna compensate?"

Birdie looked terrified, glancing desperately at the man who was watching.

Aidan stepped forward, wrapping his arms around my waist, and softened his tone to calm me down. "Lucie, she didn't mean it. I'll cover the cost of the broken hearing aid."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Whether Aubree was careless or intentional, anyone with eyes could see.

He almost indulged Birdie, with no questions asked or no blame.

I locked eyes with him, a bit forceful in my tone. "I can let go of her compensation, but she must sincerely apologize to me!"

Birdie lifted her misty eyes, looking pitiful.

Softly, she pleaded. "Mr. White..."

Aidan hid the young girl behind him, afraid I'd confront his Birdie.

He raised an eyebrow. "Lucie, I always thought you were reasonable. When did you start sweating the small stuff?"

Tears welled up from my eyes. "This hearing aid was my mom's legacy. She just broke it like that? Aidan, am I overreacting, or have you changed?"

A broken hearing aid could be replaced, but it was my mom's legacy!

Birdie shrank behind Aidan, submissive on the surface but defiant in her eyes.

Aidan's expression turned cold. "Lucie, don't go too far!"

My eyes were red from holding back tears stubbornly. "I just want her to apologize, and you're upset?"

Aidan's s also thought he was overreacting, coming over to try to mediate.

"Aidan, you've been with Lucie for seven years. Can't you talk this out?"

"Miss Brooks, it's getting late. You have class tomorrow morning! Let us take you home first!"

Birdie tugged at the man's sleeve, wanting him to choose between me and her.

Aidan gripped my wrist tightly, almost crushing my bones.

"Aubree's timid. You scared her!"

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug in, tears flowing like a ceasefire.

"Aidan, let's break up!"

A hint of anger flashed in his eyes. "Lucie, what are you stirring up now?"

Aidan and I were each other's first loves, entangled for years.

This time, he went too far.

Aidan found me dirty.

His company faced a crisis, falling out with partners.

Because of equity disputes, his former bestie became his enemy.

He bribed thugs to kidnap Aidan's mother, seeking severe revenge.

In the dark underground garage, a masked man with a weapon lurked in the corner. Aidan's mom didn't know, seeing danger approaching.

I didn't care about my safety, rushing in front of the attacker to let Aidan's mom escape.

Aidan's mom worried about my safety, calling the police while running.

When the police arrived, the attackers were gone.

Aidan's mom feared for my safety, urging her son and the police to find me.

When the police found me, it was three days later.

They found me in an abandoned building. The attackers had long gone.

When the police found me, my clothes were disheveled, deeply traumatized, signs of violation.

Aidan's mom hugged me, guilt filling her eyes. "Sweetie, you've suffered."

Aidan, seeing me like that, his eyes welled up.

Trembling, he held my hand. "Lucie, it's okay now; it's all over. Can I take you home?"

I was diagnosed with PTSD and struggled with severe mental illness, even considering suicide.

After the news broke, public opinion turned against me.

News of the suspected assault instantly topped the trending charts.

I faced online harassment, scrutiny, afraid to even step outside.

Every time I close my eyes, scary images pop into my head.

Aidan was scared I'd do something stupid, so he stuck with me twenty-four-seven, never taking his eyes off me.

During my hospital stay, he was all hands-on deck for me.

The lady in the next bed quietly asked me, "When are you two tying the knot?"

Thanks to my boyfriend's tender care, the darkness in my heart slowly lifted.

Whenever nightmares tortured me and I broke down in tears, he'd gently hold me, soothing my hurt soul.

He'd say, "It'll get better! Everything will be okay!"

Those painful memories have started to blur.

As I started forgetting, Aidan boldly exposed my scars to him.

It reopened wounds I thought had healed.

I was sure Aidan loved me and we'd walk down the aisle together.

But he never brought up marriage and even badmouthed me to him.

Turns out Aidan had his doubts; marriage was never on his mind.

We dated for seven years—seven long years! How many of those does a girl get?

He took up my whole youth and filled every memory.

I gave him my best years, but he didn't want them.

Outside, lightning cracked and thunder roared. I dashed into the pouring rain, letting it soak me.

I squatted on the ground, crying loudly, tears flowing freely down my face. I felt like a pitiful creature abandoned by everyone.

Expensive Wheceon shoes came into view, his long-fingered hands holding an umbrella, sheltering me from the storm.

Every time we split before, Aidan always came around.

He'd ask, teary, "Lucie, can't we work it out?"

The man had sharp features, a lot like Aidan.

I saw his face; hope in my eyes died out.

Arlo's deep eyes checked me out, sighed. "You're drenched, poor thing."

He was Arlo White, top surgeon at Wetict Hospital, sharp and cold, unlike Aidan.

I bit my lip, lashes trembling, and hunched over.

Arlo's smile soft, voice smooth. "Fighting with Aidan?"

I stared back defiant, like a broken doll, eyes saying I was falling apart.

He took off his jacket and wrapped it around me.

His lips curled. "Can't stand seeing girls cry."

"Call me Arlo. I'll handle it."

I sobbed harder, nearly breathless.

Arlo rubbed his temples. "Hey, stop crying."

"I'll go teach that jerk Aidan a lesson!"

I grabbed his sleeve, my voice soft. "Arlo, do you need a girlfriend? Want to date me?! Even though I'm deaf in one ear, I've got a great personality. I'm not just a good listener; I'm also pretty responsible..."

Arlo's eyes were deep and calm. "Aidan did this to you, which hurts me."

I kissed his cheek, getting bold. "Arlo, I'm yours. Take me with you!"

Arlo's eyes narrowed, voice firm.

"Maybe breaking up's better. I'll comfort you."