Mute In Love, Loud In Hurt

Melody's POVWhile in the classroom, Dorian Harmon handed me a new thermal flask."Melody, your mom brewed you some herbal medicine. Drink it while it's still hot," he said, his expression cold.I reached for it instinctively and downed the contents in one go. But today's medicine tasted different from usual—it was extremely bitter.In fact, it was so bitter that my face twisted in agony, and I didn't even notice the tears slipping out.After I finished drinking everything, I automatically stretched my hand out and smiled at the expressionless Dorian. After all, whenever I drank this herbal medicine, he would always have candy or dried fruit prepared for me.But this time, he only said with disgust, "No candy. You're all grown, and you still need candy with your medicine? How childish."As soon as the words left his lips, Ayanna Cambor—who had been standing next to us, watching all of this unfold—suddenly burst out laughing while clutching her stomach."As a mute, you can't com

Melody's POVI nodded and signed to Dorian, "Don't do that again."He mistook my distant expression for lingering anger."I don't actually like her," he said, grabbing my hand. "Being with her right now is just a temporary measure. Wait for me, okay, Mel?"He looked at me earnestly, his gaze sincere.It was too cold outside, and I couldn't help sniffling. Frowning, he took off the scarf around his neck and draped it over me.In the moonlight, with the snow reflecting around us, I could clearly see some telltale red marks on his neck.I might be mute, but I still understood that those marks could only be left after the most intimate acts. So, I avoided his gaze and didn't respond.Dorian kept pressing, "Mute girl, what does shaking your head mean?"My steps faltered. He only called me that when he was anxious."Are you saying you don't mind, or that you don't forgive me?"I pressed my lips together and continued walking.He chased after me and asked, "Mel, did my mom say som

Melody's POVRight then, Ayanna's voice rang out behind Dorian.He frowned and cursed under his breath. "Damn it, she's everywhere!"He stopped trying to look at the paper in my hand and turned to deal with her instead.I had no intention of getting involved in their drama. I just slipped the application into my pocket and turned to leave, but Ayanna called out to me."Melody Fowler, I learned something interesting in biology class today. The teacher said that if a person's organ isn't used for an extended period of time, it'll atrophy."Has your tongue atrophied yet? Can you stick it out and show me?"I didn't want to argue with her, so I walked around her and headed toward the classroom. But she refused to let it go and actually followed me all the way to my desk."That's enough, Ayanna," Dorian said, grabbing her arm. "Didn't you just promise me you'd stop messing with her?"Ayanna scoffed. "I did. But did you keep your promise to me? I told you to stay away from her, but w

Melody's POVI signed my thanks to Candice.She shook her head. "I'm the class president. When a classmate is being bullied, it's my responsibility to help."As she spoke, she pulled out a pack of tissues from her pocket and handed it to me."Your lip is bleeding. Here, wipe it off."That Ayanna has seriously gone too far. But luckily, you were smart. I got your text asking for help on my way home, so I came right away."My hand froze mid-wipe."What text?" I signed. "I didn't send anything. I don't have my phone with me, and I wouldn't have had the chance to text you either."Candice frowned when she heard this."Then who could it be? It would have to be someone who was here," she speculated. "Because not only did the person give me the exact location, they also knew that you were the victim. They asked for help in your name.""At first, I thought someone was pranking me. But then I figured you're usually quite the pushover in class. If you really were being bullied, I'd fee

Third-Person POVIt was snowing so heavily outside. Dorian couldn't help but think that Melody must be feeling very cold.He really didn't want to be the so-called heir of the Harmon family. But his last name was Harmon, and he'd enjoyed everything that came with it his whole life.Now that the family was in trouble, he couldn't just ignore it.Besides, if the Harmon family really collapsed, what would happen to Melody's treatments?She had always loved talking when she was little. Her voice was bright and clear like a songbird in the mountains.No matter what, he had to help her regain her confidence to speak again.Ayanna climbed onto his lap again. He felt disgusted, but he kept reminding himself to endure it just a little longer.He just had to wait until the Cambors' funds were injected into Harmon Group tomorrow. Once the company was back on its feet, he could break up with Ayanna and finally be with Melody openly.He closed his eyes, his thoughts filled entirely with Me