Blaire's POV

I couldn't believe what was happening to me. Whenever I thought Henry couldn't sink any lower, he surprised me with just how far he'd go. It wasn't enough that he had manipulated me into donating my cornea to his mother.

Now, he was pushing me to step aside for Vivian, just like he had done everything else. I didn’t even know how much more of this I could take.

“No,” I said firmly, my voice steady even though my insides were a mess. “I’ve already trained a successor. Both Amelia and Carol are great candidates for the role. Vivian isn’t qualified to take over.”

But Henry wasn't listening. He completely ignored my refusal and kept pushing, insisting I go to a party at Vivian’s house.

“Vivian just got back from abroad,” he said casually, as if that somehow made everything okay. “Our friends are throwing a welcome party for her. She’ll sing a few songs. You should come. Trust me, she’s better than your successor—maybe even better than you.”

I didn’t want to go. I really didn’t want to go, but Henry wouldn’t drop it.

So, three years after our last encounter, there I was, facing Vivian again.

She walked in like she owned the place, her haute couture dress sparkling under the lights. Her jewelry glinted as if it was its own damn light source. She was radiant, commanding every pair of eyes in the room, completely opposite me.

And here I was, playing the part of the blind woman in my sunglasses and leaning heavily on my cane. My steps were deliberate, and I kept my expression vacant, like I was trying my best to stay lost in the world I was pretending to live in.

Then she saw me. And the look on her face? Pure disdain.

“Well, look at that,” Vivian mocked. “A blind person in our midst. Blaire doesn’t sing opera anymore? Did she switch to Moonlight Over Sonata now?”

The laughter that followed from Henry’s friends felt like nails being driven straight into my heart.

Through the dark lenses of my sunglasses, I saw Vivian casually slide her arms around Henry’s neck and plant a kiss on his cheek, right in front of me. I’m sure she thought I couldn’t see, and that made her all the more bold.

Vivian even dared to smile haughtily, sticking her tongue out at me.

Willing participant in her game, Henry stroked her hair as they exchanged those affectionate little gestures. Their chemistry was so obvious that it practically suffocated me.

A sharp, aching pain gripped my chest. I could feel it burning, raw and intense. It felt like my heart was bleeding.

But I couldn’t let it show.

Not now. Not in front of them. I had to keep up the act.

“W-What’s going on?” I asked, gripping my cane tighter, my voice faltering as I feigned confusion.

Henry, unfazed by their little show, leaned in and kissed me lightly on the cheek. “Nothing. Let’s just go listen to Vivian sing.”

My heart twisted, but I kept my mouth shut.

As he pulled away, I quickly wiped the spot where his lips had just touched my skin, trying to scrub away the disgust that was rising in me. It was like I couldn’t escape the filth of it all.

Vivian sang two songs, and although she lacked any real vocal talent, I couldn’t sit there and pretend everything was fine.

I had to speak the truth.

“Your breath control’s weak,” I said, my voice remaining professional, detached. “Your high notes are too sharp, your low notes tremble. Your foundation is lacking. You know it yourself when you don’t practice for a day. When you don’t practice for three days, your peers notice. When you don’t practice for ten days, the audience notices.”

Vivian’s face immediately turned red with fury. She laughed, but it was forced, cold. “I see. Not only are you blind, but your ears must be broken, too, huh? Hey, guys, tell me—does my singing sound good?”

Her friends, predictable as ever, chimed in unison, “Yeah! It’s fucking amazing!”

Vivian turned to Henry, her eyes glinting with almost sinister satisfaction. “So, what do you think, Henry?”

There was a long pause before Henry finally spoke, his voice flat and dismissive. “You sing very well. Anyone who says otherwise must have something wrong with their ears.”

Vivian smirked and turned back to me with a cruel smile. “Did you hear that? Henry thinks your ears are the problem. Maybe you should get them checked.”

The laughter that followed was deafening, but I didn’t flinch.

Without warning, they escorted me to the hospital and locked me in a cold, metal room for a hearing test. The moment the door slammed shut, a sharp, jarring sound blared into my ears, like firecrackers going off at full volume.

I instinctively covered my ears, but it only got worse.

The sound intensified.

Nails scraping on a blackboard.

Screams.

The relentless sound of the water dripping.

I felt like my head was going to explode from the pressure.

A mechanical voice cut through the noise. “Please answer, what sounds are you hearing? Please answer, what sounds are you hearing?”

Then I realized that this wasn’t just some test. They weren’t just torturing me physically or trying to break me. They wanted me to lose my mind and to make me deaf.

Panicking, I screamed, pressing my hands harder against my ears, desperately trying to block out the nightmare. Through the thin window of the metal room, I saw Vivian standing outside, watching with cold amusement.

Her laughter echoed.

“Why the long face?” Vivian teased, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “What? You feeling sorry for Blaire?”

Standing beside her, Henry immediately relaxed. His frown melted into a fake nonchalance. “No, not at all. I just… think this is a bit much. It could have some serious consequences.”

Vivian sneered. “You don’t trust my cousin’s skills? Don’t worry, she’ll be fine.”

Her ear specialist's cousin adjusted some equipment, chuckling as he worked. “She won’t die, don’t worry. The sound is only at 85 decibels. She won’t go deaf for at least another hour.”

Then, they turned to leave.

“Let’s go grab dinner,” Vivian said with a laugh, as if everything was just a joke.

Inside the room, I screamed Henry’s name with all my might. “Help me! Please, let me out!”

But the only thing I saw as I cried out was Henry’s back, walking away, leaving me to endure the torment alone.

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.”

Blaire's POV

I had been secretly in contact with Julian.

During the day, everyone thought I was completely blind and couldn't even use my phone. But when the night fell quiet and the world around me settled down, Julian and I would exchange messages. They were the only thing that kept me going. I hated being with Henry, being trapped, and how easily I let myself get lost in the fantasy of a life outside of this hellhole.

Also, I feel sorry for Julian. He had been dismissed from the hospital after reporting Vivian’s cousin, the ear specialist, for abusing his power. Of course, Vivian's cousin denied it all and made up some story that Julian had ulterior motives.

As if!

In the end, the hospital sided with Vivian’s cousin and tossed Julian aside. I hated seeing him lose everything he had worked for. Julian was young, driven, and had a future ahead of him, but now it was all gone.

And for what?

For sticking up for what was right? I couldn’t even begin to wrap my head around it.

One night, after another exhausting rehearsal, Julian sent me a message:

[It’s okay, Blaire. I have no regrets. I plan to study medicine abroad for a few more years and then join Doctors Without Borders.]

I had to smile at that. His resilience was something else. Even with everything that had happened to him, he still had hope. I couldn’t help but feel inspired, but then a pang of sorrow crept up on me.

I replied, "I want to perform stage plays abroad, show them what our nation’s art really looks like."

The idea of the future sounded so beautiful, but every day in this twisted situation with Henry felt heavier. Vivian was glued to Henry, flaunting their relationship with anyone who would look, and there I was, pretending to be his loving, obedient girlfriend. The suffocating pretense was killing me.

The worst part? Henry noticed the change in me.

He didn’t understand why, but he could feel it. He always had a way of sensing when I wasn’t all in, and it made him more desperate.

One afternoon, he asked, “Blaire, it seems like you’re paying less attention to me than you used to. Do you not love me anymore?”

It took everything in me not to scream at him. 'How could he even ask that? Why did he want me to love him when he was the one who had broken me over and over?'

I turned away from him and replied calmly, “The premiere of The Sapphire Blade is next week. I’m busy with final rehearsals.”

Just one more week.

That’s all I had left before I could finally get out of there. I’d leave him behind, pack my things, and fly away with Julian. It felt like freedom was right there, just within reach. But I hadn’t expected what was about to happen next.

The night after our final rehearsal, Henry was in the theater, tearing up over the play. The singing, the stage design, the lyrics—it was all perfect to him, and it hit him like a wave. He didn’t even realize it, but he was seeing me in every word, every note. He could feel the love I’d poured into the play, the love I’d given to him when I wrote it. The irony was almost too much to bear.

Vivian, of course, couldn’t handle it. She had to step in and try to ruin everything, just like she always did.

With a sickly sweet smile plastered on her face, Vivian offered, “I think the play could be improved. I’ll help you rewrite it, Blaire. For free, of course.”

The blood drained from my face.

No. Absolutely not.

She wasn’t touching my work. I couldn’t let her anywhere near it.

“No,” I said firmly.

Vivian wasn’t one to back down. She contended, “I’m just trying to help! Back when we were at the provincial theater, you were just a supporting role! If it weren’t for my car accident, you wouldn’t even be in this position!”

I felt my jaw tighten. She was still holding onto that grudge like it was her lifeline. And now, she was using it to destroy everything I had worked for.

“I also regret what happened,” I said, my voice cold. “But that accident wasn’t my fault. I don’t owe you anything.”

Vivian’s eyes filled with fake tears, and she immediately turned to Henry, shaking his arm. “Henry, she’s bullying me again! You’ve got to back me up! I just want to help rewrite 'The Sapphire Blade.' Don’t you want to support me?”

Henry’s eyes flickered between us, and I could see the shift in him. He was caught in the middle, and I wasn’t sure which way he’d fall. Vivian was playing him like a fiddle, but she had one hell of a hand to play.

Vivian wasn’t even trying to hide her manipulation anymore. She knew exactly what she was doing. “This theater is under your name, Henry. With just one word from you, Blaire’s play won’t be performed.”

I kept my eyes on him, watching for any sign of weakness, anything that would tell me he cared about the play, about me. He’d been moved to tears by it.

Surely he wouldn’t let Vivian ruin it, right?

“Henry?” I asked, my voice shaking ever so slightly. “This play represents my love for you. Don’t you like it? Please, don’t change it. Please.”

But his expression hardened, and he spoke with finality, “I’m not satisfied with the play. Let’s do what Vivian says. She’s talented, and she’ll help you improve it.”