Betrayed by Love, Rescued by Fate: A Musical Romance

The club was reducing its members, and my boyfriend, Simon Hughes, disregarded my contributions and cast his vote for a newcomer.

I lost my eligibility for the scholarship selection.

Simon, with an innocent look, clarified to everyone, "She's not my girlfriend. I just felt sorry for her being deaf and took care of her. It's not suitable at all for someone with hearing difficulties to be in a music club. Don't they realize? You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep."

After the college entrance exams, I developed sudden deafness, and Simon assumed I couldn't hear.

But he didn't know that my hearing had long since been restored.

1

Before Simon went to vote, he squeezed my palm.

"Jane, be generous. Scarlett needs this vote more than you do."

Scarlett also pleaded, shaking my hand, "Jane, you're so smart. No matter which club you join, people will like you. But Simon is the president of the music club, and only here can he protect me."

I shook off Scarlett's hand, my eyes fixed on Simon. "Is our club a contest of who has the most hardships? The weaker one gets the sympathy, and the stronger one has to give way?"

Simon's smile faltered slightly.

Perhaps he remembered how Scarlett, upon joining the club, had once announced the wrong performance time, causing fans to wait in the rain for an hour.

Throughout the year, he had cleaned up many of her messes.

Simon reached out to touch my head, but I dodged.

"Simon, I won't force you to vote for me, as long as you can live with your conscience. But if I leave the music club, I won't create any more sketches for you. I mean it." I said firmly.

Simon's smile froze.

I was a junior at the Art Academy, and during my time in the club, besides creating promotional posters, I would stand in the front row of performances, sketching only for Simon.

After finishing, I would immediately upload the sketches online, boosting Simon's popularity as the most handsome drummer.

After each performance, Simon would come to me first, taking the sketches while sneaking a kiss in the backstage dressing room.

In the dim light, his eyes shone like stars.

"Jane, I miss you all the time."

His youthful breath was warm, his lips brushing past my ear, making my face flush.

I believed he truly loved me.

After all, since high school, I had developed sudden deafness from staying up all night rushing art drafts.

I wasn't completely deaf, just needed people to speak loudly to me.

Simon never minded my poor hearing. After the college entrance exams, he filled out the same application as me and encouraged me to join the music club.

But Simon didn't know that my deafness had been cured.

Someone had stepped in to waive the exorbitant treatment fees and personally performed the surgery to restore my hearing.

Thinking of this, I breathed a sigh of relief.

If I told Simon the good news about my recovery, he would surely be reluctant to let me go.

After all, his only concern was that my deafness made it inconvenient for me to stay in the music club. If this obstacle disappeared, he would have no reason to choose Scarlett.

I grabbed Simon, intending to tell him the good news.

2

A burst of chatter interrupted me.

"Oh my God, she's openly canvassing votes, relying on being Simon's girlfriend."

The voice came from behind me. "How does Jane not have any self-awareness? A deaf person has the nerve to play music?"

I was stunned.

The girl speaking looked unfamiliar, and a club member pulled her aside, gently scolding, "Don't talk about Jane like that. You don't know her at all."

It turned out she was that member's girlfriend.

I thought Simon would stand up for me too.

Instead, he showed a bitter and helpless smile, quickly saying, "Jane isn't my girlfriend. We're just from the same hometown and went to the same high school. I feel sorry for her being deaf, so I took extra care of her. I also know it's unreasonable for a deaf person to linger in the music club. But you can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep."

I was momentarily stunned.

I never expected that during all those days and nights I devoted to Simon, he saw me as a backup.

My heart ached as if it would break, but I held back my tears.

Simon didn't notice my change.

He coaxed me as usual, then slowly pried open my fingers one by one.

My ears were filled with a roaring sound, and my vision blurred with tears.

I watched helplessly as he walked to the blackboard and drew a line under Scarlett's name.

Just like that, he erased our past and present with a single stroke.

3

I took out my sketchbook and tore up the freshly drawn sketches.

Simon frowned.

"What are you doing?"

"I told you, once I leave the music club, I won't create any more sketches for you."

Simon chuckled nonchalantly. "Are you serious? Jane, I didn't expect you to be someone who can't handle losing gracefully."

I grabbed my sketchbook, about to tell Simon not to touch it with his dirty hands, when a burst of exclamations erupted around us.

"Whoa, Harold Adams, what brings you here?"

"Doesn't Harold have an evening class today?"

I looked up to see that a man with an almost legendary presence stride into the classroom, guitar slung over his back, his expression stern, seemingly in a bad mood for some reason.

Harold was the founder of the Soul Reverberation Music Club.

He had already been admitted to a direct PhD program and was a formidable presence in the medical department. Yet, in his spare time, Harold would still return to the music club to perform.

Compared to Simon, the club president, Harold was the true soul of the Soul Reverberation Music Club.

With Harold's arrival, all the chatter ceased.

The club members stood obediently, everyone wondering why Harold, who never involved himself in club management, had time to grace us with his presence today.

But Harold's gaze swept past everyone without a glance.

He walked to the blackboard and made a mark under my name.

Gasps filled the room.

"Wow-8:8, it's a tie!"

"What tie? Harold's vote counts as ten, right? Who dares to kick out someone Harold wants to protect?"

"Wow, the authority figure is here to set things right! I must say, Jane is both beautiful and capable, a hundred times better than Scarlett!"

Scarlett's smile vanished instantly.

Although we were still tied, Harold's presence was like a harsh reality check for her.

She would rather lose than have Harold's vote.

Simon forced a smile, but his eyes flickered nervously.

"Although Harold is indeed a powerful influence, your vote can't really count as ten, can it?"

Now it's a tie. What do we do, vote again?" Simon joked, but only he laughed.

"No need."

Harold's gaze swept over everyone.

"If the president is manipulating the votes, there's no point in staying in this club. If Jane leaves, I'll leave with her."

The club members erupted.

"Damn, if the lead singer leaves, what's the point of the band?"

"Come on, it's Simon threatening us. He said if we don't vote for Scarlett, we'll have to pack up and leave."

Harold stood casually.

"Those who want to leave, pack your things and meet me tomorrow to submit an application to establish a new club."

No one hesitated for a second.

They all went to grab their instruments.

Simon's smile vanished instantly.

"Harold, what do you mean?"

"You built the Soul Reverberation Music Club from scratch, and now you want to destroy it?"

"The one destroying it is you."

Harold looked down at Simon, his words laced with tension. "Don't think I don't know you're threatening the members to vote. They're leaving of their own free will. The stronger one takes the lead, like a father figure, Simon. Don't be a sore loser."

4

I never imagined that because of me, the Soul Reverberation Music Club would disband. I stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Harold, however, casually hooked my small bag with his long arm.

"Not leaving yet? Why are you still keeping this boyfriend around?" His expression was complicated.

Startled, I realized that I had been standing there for too long, which made him think that I could not let go of Simon. I quickly clarified, "Um... Harold, Simon isn't my boyfriend."

Under Simon's shocked gaze, I announced to everyone, "He used to look down on me. "Now, it's my turn to reject him." I chuckled softly.

Harold's expression flickered, seemingly amused. "Hmm... Want to give it a try with me?"

I was momentarily stunned by the sudden invitation.

Harold, known for being aloof and distant, had never been close to any girl since entering school. Everyone thought we were strangers.

But I knew that the fact was not the case.

Without much hesitation, I placed my hand in Harold's palm.

The crowd erupted instantly.

"Wow, the Beauty and the Beast pairing? What a legendary pairing!"

"Wishing for Harold to find love in my lifetime!"

Amidst the cheers of the shippers, I walked away hand in hand with Harold, feeling light-hearted.

"Wait. Are you serious?"

I turned back to see Simon standing near the blackboard.

His lips curled into a smile, tinged with bitterness and sarcasm.

"Harold, do you need a megaphone? After all, my girlfriend is deaf. Even in bed, if you speak too softly, she won't hear you."

Harold stopped in his tracks.

He remained calm, but I could sense his anger.

Before Harold could react, I strode up to Simon and slapped him hard.

"Your lips move so fast, afraid I might read them, huh? I've told you I'm not your girlfriend. You keep harping on about deafness. Maybe you're the one who needs treatment?"

Simon widened his eyes, utterly shocked that I would humiliate him in public.

But what surprised him even more was-

"Jane, you can hear now?"

Shock, shame, disbelief.

Simon's face was a chaotic mix of emotions.

I rolled my eyes, unwilling to waste even a second more on him, and left without looking back.

5

My body was still heated with excitement when Harold led me to his motorcycle, and I finally regained my composure.

"Thanks for your help. It's late, I should head back to the dorm." I said, attempting to release our intertwined hands.

Harold wouldn't let go, changing his grip instead.

"Use and move on. Cut ties so swiftly?"

"No, it's not like that."

I felt guilty. "You wouldn't take the girlfriend talk seriously, right? You're like a god, I wouldn't dare have any improper thoughts about you."

I said I wouldn't dare, but my eyes couldn't help but sneak a peek at his abs.

I looked at those abs! They were so well-defined, just perfect for flaunting his strength. And undeniably, they looked incredibly sexy.

I secretly fantasized, watching the moonlight bathe Harold.

He looked relaxed, a shadow of darkness flickering in his eyes.

"If I remember correctly, Scarlett lives next door to you. Going back tonight, do you want her and the other girls to target you?"

Huh?

I blinked.

How did Harold even know where I lived?

"But if I don't go back to the dorm, I have nowhere else to go." I shrugged.

"Come to my place."

The moonlight cast a gentle glow over Harold, his face like a beautiful jade, eyelashes like feathers.

He smiled, his eyes twinkling.

"Simon thinks you're a good girl, that you wouldn't do anything rebellious. But I know, you have a vivid imagination. Standing here for a few minutes, you might have already fantasized about my body."

Harold seemed hot, undoing a shirt button.

"So, want me to open one for you?"

Damn!

My mind exploded.

"Harold, stop joking. I'll never forget your help, but I..." I used the last bit of my sanity to refuse.

I couldn't withstand any temptation!

Since middle school, I had enjoyed drawing little comics in my spare time.

Some serious, some a bit risqué.

I never thought one day, someone more enticing than any anime character, Harold, would personally tempt me!

"Alright, you have a heart of stone. I've stayed up two nights writing textbooks, and now my stomach hurts."

I wanted to invite you home, hoping for some of your creamy tomato soup." Harold clutched his stomach, like a forlorn puppy.

"Too bad, rejected."

I suddenly opened my eyes.

Not long ago, Harold told me about a special project in the medical department that could waive my surgery fees.

And lying on the operating table, I learned Harold agreed to write three medical textbooks for free, just for me.

Now, he not only attends classes and internships but also stays up all night researching.

Seeing the red veins in his eyes, my heart ached.

Jane, what were you afraid of?

How mature, stable, safe, and reliable Harold was, wasn't this something you knew from day one?

Resolute, I grabbed the helmet from the bike seat and climbed onto the back of the motorcycle without a word.

But upon reaching Harold's home and seeing the decor, my face turned pale, and I wanted to flee.

If I had known it, I would never have come!

6

In Harold's 400-square-meter luxury apartment, he had my risqué comics from middle school on display!

I had posted them online under deep anonymity. How did he have the patience to download each one, print, and bind them?

My disguise was completely stripped, yet I clung to a sliver of hope.

Maybe it was just a coincidence!

I feigned nonchalance, "This artist's work is quite niche. Didn't expect Harold to enjoy it too?"

Harold wore a pleased expression, glancing at me indifferently.

"Isn't this your work? Except for the kissing, everything else is clearly fantasy. You and Simon were together for years, and you never went below the neck?"

I was left speechless for a moment.

Harold casually added, "No wonder it can't be published."

I tugged at my lips, wanting to defend myself, but couldn't utter a single word.

Harold ruffled my hair, smiling.

"Go take a shower."

With his meaningful smile, I mechanically took his shirt and mechanically showered in the guest room.

Climbing into bed, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Recalling my kisses with Simon, they were always rushed backstage, and he even kissed me just to get a sketch.

Each time was fleeting, making it hard to find any joy.

But earlier, Harold merely approached me casually, and my blood surged.

I couldn't imagine if I kissed him or touched his abs.

How many views would my comic get!

Harold was so good. He should have been willing to help me, right?

At midnight, blushing, I sneaked into the master bedroom.

Harold was still awake, half-reclining on the bed, his silk pajamas with a couple of buttons undone, exuding the same scent of shower gel as me.

I swallowed, shaking my wet hair, and with all my courage, I asked. "Harold, um, I know it's a bit forward, but can I kiss you?"