How Deep Is Your Love

Everybody said my life was over after Brad Coleman called off his engagement with me. I had been with him for five years. The things I had done to pander to him had left my reputation in tatters. Nobody was willing to be with a woman like me anymore. After word started spreading within our social circle that Brad had gotten a new lover, everybody was waiting for me to go crawling back to him. However, what they did not know was that I had volunteered to take my younger sister's place and go to a faraway city, Clason City, to get married. Before I got married, I returned the treasure box that Brad had given to me. The coupon for a free wish that he had given me when he was younger was still in it. I left without leaving anything behind. However, one day after a long time, Brad suddenly thought of me. "It's been a while since I last heard from Leah Young. Is she dead?" he said. Meanwhile, I was awakened by kisses from my new husband. "Good girl, Leah. You promised me to go four rounds. We can't go any less…" Chapter 1 It had been three months since I last saw Brad Coleman, and he suddenly said he wanted to get married. The last time I met him, I overheard him telling his friends he was sick of me. Everybody in the room burst out laughing. They laughed at me because I had been with him for five years and ruined my reputation by pandering to him, but I was still abandoned. My life in the Young family for the past three months was torture. My father, Walter Young, got drunk a few days ago, so he went a little hard when he raised his hands to me. The injuries on my back still hurt. That was why I saw hope again after Brad suddenly called me, asking me to meet. I put on the pair of emerald bracelets I got when we got engaged and rushed out. When I got to Brad's mansion, he was already a little tipsy. He was lying on a young woman's lap with his eyes closed. The young woman looked like she was still in college. She seemed very chaste. She was giving Brad a head massage when she saw me walking in, and she quickly got up in a panic. However, Brad grabbed her wrist. "Stay," he said. He did not even open his eyes. He pulled the young woman in gently. The young woman went along with him and lowered her head, letting him kiss her. He let go of the young woman's hand and pinched her jaw. The kiss was so deep, and the sound they made was so loud. I clutched my purse and stood at the entrance in a daze for a while before I regained my composure. I pretended that I did not care and looked out the window before I said, "I'm going to the garden for a stroll. I'll come back later." Brad let out a sneer as soon as I said that. The young woman by his side immediately stood up and said, "I think I should head out and let her come over." Brad did not stop her. He toyed with her hand for a while before reluctantly letting it go. "It's freezing outside. Don't catch a cold." The young woman snickered and nodded. Her long, luscious hair covered half of her flushed face. She politely greeted me when she walked past me. I nodded and smiled at her as well. She was young. Her eyes were bright. The way she acted so bashfully reminded me of my younger sister. "Come here, Leah." Brad leaned against the couch and patted the empty seat next to him. A huge chandelier was in the room, filling the space with glistening light. Brad had a well-defined jawline and beautiful features, which looked unreal under the gorgeous light. I was dazed for a moment, and I felt a little sorrow that I could not describe. Brad's eyes were dreamy. The ends of his eyes were a bit red because he was tipsy. His collar was unbuttoned, and his neck and collarbone were covered in hickeys. "That young woman is Zoe Spencer," he said. I nodded and replied, "Mm-hmm. I know." "What do you think about her?" he asked. I gave it a thought and replied, "She seemed innocent, simple. And she's also very obedient." Brad nodded. "Isn't she just like you five years ago?" I was stunned. Chapter 2 Five years ago, I was a college freshman. In Brad's words, when he pursued me, I was so pure that he felt sorry for me. He truly loved me back then. He doted on me as well. He treated me like I was a precious treasure. Our relationship was the longest that he ever had. I even got engaged to him before I graduated college. It was a pity that I was already in ruins and my reputation was in tatters. Everyone in the capital knew I had done plenty of shameless things to hold on to a wealthy catch like Brad. At that time, he said he was tired of me being pure and simple. To pander to him, I forced myself to change and to blend into his dirty social circle. I forced myself to cater to his peculiar interests. He wanted a woman who was flirtatious, and passionate. He liked a woman who was open and bold. I endured the embarrassment and satisfied him. However, what I got in return was his nasty words. "You're shameless, Leah. Escorts aren't even as wild in bed as you are. Look at you now. Do you even look like a lady from an affluent family?" He broke up with me. Walter used my younger siblings to blackmail me. To make Brad stay, I tried to take my own life. At that moment, he told me, whose reputation was already in ruins, that he liked Zoe. He liked that she was just like me five years ago. I wanted to laugh, but I could not. "I really like her. I want to make her my wife. She's not like you. She's very timid and very pure. I have to take responsibility for her," Brad said. I wanted to say something, but my lips seemed glued together. I could not make a sound. It took me a while to put on a forced smile, and I said, "Alright. I understand." "I can talk to the Young family for you," he said. "No need. I'll think of a way to take care of it myself," I said. "Suit yourself." He staggered to stand up, and he took out something from his pocket. He threw it on the coffee table, creating a thud. My eyes widened. That was the gift I exchanged with him when we got engaged. It was a heart necklace that belonged to my late mother. Brad had given a pair of emerald bracelets that his mother wore when she got married. Those were the bracelets that I was wearing at that moment. "Take the bracelets off. Our engagement is off," he said. I looked up at him. His eyes used to twinkle, but they were as cold as frost then. It turned out that he was not going to marry me when he said he wanted to get married. It turned out that five years of company was not comparable to the thrill of cheating with a new woman for just a few days. I thought I would be sad and mentally break down, but I did not shed a tear. I calmly took the bracelets off and returned them to him. Brad raised his eyebrow a little. He seemed a little surprised. However, he still accepted the bracelets and left without looking back. Chapter 3 Soon, everybody knew Brad had called off his engagement with me. Unexpectedly, I was not beaten up. However, I lost contact with my siblings, who were abroad, again. I knew that was how my father always used to vent his anger. He and my stepmother started searching the entire city for a suitable man for me to get married to. They wanted to marry me off to let the Young family remain wealthy. However, nasty rumors about me gradually started spreading. They said I had done many nasty things to make Brad happy over the years. They said I was damaged, and I could not even bear a child anymore. Nobody in the capital city was willing to take in a woman like me anymore. My father's temper got worse as days passed, and my life got harder and harder to endure. Two months after Brad broke off his engagement with me, shocking news about him started spreading again. They said he was about to get engaged again, and it was to Zoe. Brad even fought with his parents for her. The group of people who loved drama deliberately sent me the news. I knew what they wanted to see. They were just too bored and were starting to miss the days when they had a clown like me by their side. [Leah, I think Brad still likes you very much.] [You must be having a hard time now, right? Why don't you go beg Brad?] [He's quite a soft-hearted person. Just go and cry to him. If that doesn't work, just pretend to take your own life. He might just take you back.] [How could Zoe compare to you, Leah? You're much prettier than her.] I looked at the texts, and I did not reply to any of them. I concentrated my efforts on getting ready to get married instead. A week ago, I spent the whole night begging on my knees. Finally, I got my father to agree to let me go to Clason City to get married instead of my sister, who had just come of age. I had heard about James Blackwell, the heir of the Blackwell family from Clason City. He was ruthless, but he was incredibly powerful. He was the uncrowned king of Clason City. However, his legs were crippled, and he had a violent temper. Despite that, I was not afraid at all. I was willing to do anything to escape the Young family and to give my siblings freedom. Besides, I could not stay in the capital city anymore. I might have a fighting chance in Clason City. Chapter 4 Before I got married, I went out for a meal with my best friend. When I went to the restroom, I bumped into Zoe. She looked like a changed person. She had gorgeous makeup on and was wearing a classic little black dress. She had a slender figure, and she looked flirtatious. She had a cigarette in between her luscious lips. "You've heard, right, Ms. Young?" Zoe sneered as she looked at me. "Brad is going to be engaged to me." I looked at her and suddenly thought of how bashful and innocent she looked when I first met her. For some reason, I could not help but sigh. "Mmhmm... I heard," I replied. Zoe's smile grew wider. "Are you dying of jealousy, Ms. Young? Rumor has it that you've terminated three pregnancies for him. I also heard you were willing to do all kinds of nasty things to make him stay and to marry him." She leaned against the window. Her smile was mixed with disdain. I glanced at her indifferently and said, "You've said it yourself, Ms. Spencer. It's just rumors. You and I are women. There's no need to start a rumor like this about me." Zoe sneered. "Everyone in this city knows about it. How is it still a rumor?" I did not want to waste my breath talking to her anymore, so I turned and left. However, Zoe suddenly said, tauntingly, "Ms. Young, we may be women, but we're not the same. You have no self-respect. Did your mother not teach you that before she died?" I stopped in my tracks. I felt my blood boil at the mention of my mother. I did not have the time to think and could not remain rational. I simply turned around and slapped her. "Ms. Young—" Zoe was stunned. She immediately cupped her cheek and cried, feeling wronged. "I know you're upset because Brad and I are getting engaged, but you can't slap me. I understand you're angry, but relationships can't be forced. It's not my fault that Brad doesn't like a loose woman like you." She sobbed pitifully, but she was killing me with every single word she said. "I know your mother passed away when you were young, and you had nobody to teach you. So, I'll let you off the hook this time, Ms. Young." I gritted my teeth so hard that they were hurting. I raised my hand and wanted to slap her again. However, Brad grabbed my arm with all his might. "Leah, apologize to Zoe," he ordered. "I won't apologize," I replied. I straightened my back. My face and lips were pale, but my reddened eyes were bright. Chapter 5 Brad was taken aback. Over the years, he had seen me being innocent and obedient. He had also seen me crying hysterically as I harassed him. I had been naive. I had been seductive. I had cried, smiled, and thrown tantrums in front of him. However, I had never been as calm and cold as I was then. He pushed Zoe aside, and he walked up to me indifferently. "Leah, I'm giving you one last chance. Apologize to Zoe." I looked right at him, and I suddenly laughed. My laughter was resolute. It was like I was risking everything. "Brad, I told you. I won't apologize. Over my dead body—" The sound of a crisp slap echoed through the empty hallway. Brad seemed to be stunned as well after the slap. Zoe's hand was on her face, and her eyes were widened. She was in a slight disbelief as well. Everyone but me was taken aback. I raised my hand slowly and cupped half of my face that was hurting. Tears started welling in my eyes. "Leah—" Brad subconsciously took a step forward, but I immediately stepped back. He was going to reach out, but he put his hand down again. His expression turned cold again as he said, "Leah, you brought this onto yourself. I wouldn't have raised my hand to you if you apologized just now." Brad's voice was deep and a little husky. "You know it—I don't hit women. We've been together for years, and I've never laid a finger on you. You shouldn't have slapped Zoe today. I like her. It's not her fault. Leah, just stop. Have some self-respect." He had always been a man of few words. He had never said that much before. However, I heard none of it, not a single word. Tears welled in my eyes. I did my best to hold them back, but I failed. At last, tears started streaming down my cheeks like they would never stop. Brad's hands were clenched into fists. His eyebrows were furrowed tightly as well. Zoe walked up to him and said, "Forget it, Brad. Let's go." Brad held her hand, but his eyes were still on me. "Leah, stop trying to give Zoe a hard time. Don't appear before Zoe and I again, either. This is my final warning to you." He did not take Zoe away after he said that. He just stared at me as if he was waiting for my answer. However, I said nothing. I just lowered my head a little. It was as if I was trying to shed my lifetime of tears in one go. After half a minute, Brad left with Zoe. Right as he turned around, I said softly, "Alright. I'll never appear before you and Zoe again for the rest of my life." Brad stopped in his tracks for a moment, but it did not take long for him to walk forward with Zoe again. He did not look back, not even once. Zoe, however, turned around and glanced at me. There were tears in her eyes, but she also had a smug smile. I put my hand down slowly. 'This is great,' I thought. I had been entangled with Brad for five years. The love and hate I had for Brad that were almost etched in my bones had finally been eliminated once and for all. I could leave for good without any distractions and anything to hold onto. Chapter 6 I received many texts and calls after I went home that day. Most of it was a screenshot of Zoe's social media post. The most eye-catching thing in her post was the engagement ring she was flaunting. I closed the message app and did not reply to any of the texts. I did not answer any of the calls either. My face was still a little swollen, so I put an ice pack on it. When I returned, I saw a text from the bank that I had received a transaction. I was confused. Then, I was stunned when I saw the series of zeros after I opened the message. Before I had the chance to count them, my phone rang. The contact on the screen was a name I had saved—Mr. Blackwell. It was the first time James had called me after our engagement was confirmed. I felt my heart pounding. I took a few deep breaths before I answered the call. "Have you received the money, Ms. Young?" "I've received it, but Mr. Blackwell, you've already given us a wedding gift," I reminded him softly, wondering if his subordinate had made a mistake. "The wedding gift was for the Young family. This money is meant for you," he replied. I held my phone in a daze before softly saying, "Mr. Blackwell, you don't have to do this. I was once engaged to someone else. My reputation is not a good one." "It's fine." James' voice was extraordinarily deep and pleasant to the ears. It also had the power to comfort others. I thought about the rumors about him. He was supposed to be cruel, ruthless, temperamental, and violent. However, his voice did not sound like it at all. "You said it yourself. That's before, so it's all in the past now. Just forget about them, Ms. Young. You'll soon come to a faraway city to get married. If there's anything you like, just buy and bring them to Clason City," he said. Tears started welling in my eyes, but I smiled and said, "Thank you, Mr. Blackwell." Nobody had heard a peep about me getting married into the Blackwell family. That was what James wanted. The people that the Blackwell family sent to escort me had long arrived in the capital. With them around, the Young family became incredibly well-behaved. Because of that, no soul in the capital city knew I would get married in a faraway place. Three days before I left, I had all my luggage packed up. I looked at the exquisite treasure box on my vanity. There was a coupon that had turned yellow on the vanity as well. Brad had given me the treasure box when he pursued me back then. There were nine layers, and each of them was packed with all kinds of jewelry. The coupon to trade for a wish was a thank-you gift he had given me when he was 12. Of course, he had long forgotten about it. I once thought of using the coupon to get him to marry me. However, in the end, I was unwilling to waste my life on a man like him. The jewelry was too precious. Of course, I had to return them. The coupon had his signature, so I could not let it fall into someone else's hands. I packed up the things carefully and called Brad's personal assistant. "These things are very valuable. You must hand them to him yourself," I said to Brad's assistant. He was polite, but he was clearly annoyed. "A bit of advice to you, Ms. Young, stop wasting your time. Mr. Coleman is getting engaged soon. It's better for both of you to go your separate ways." He thought I wanted to pull some tricks and beg Brad to take me back. I wanted to explain, but he clearly could not even be bothered to brush me off. He threw the box in the trunk and drove off. Chapter 7 I quietly left the capital city with the people the Blackwell family sent to escort me. Two days later, I met my future husband for the first time. He was James, the heir of the Blackwell family. He wore a sharp black suit and looked elegant and handsome. He was in a wheelchair and had a thin blanket covering his knees. However, his back was straight, and his shoulders were broad and powerful. So, because of that, people would completely forget about his disability. "Leah," he called my name in a deep voice. I took a deep breath and quickly walked up to him. Then, I crouched down and met his eye level. I must have been incredibly nervous and timid. That was because I saw a tiny version of myself in his deep-set eyes, and even my lashes seemed to be fluttering. I secretly took a deep breath, plucking up my courage to raise my hand. Then, I held his hands, which were placed on the blanket. "Hello, Mr. Blackwell. I'm Leah Young," I said. I heard the people around me gasping when I held his hands. However, I was so nervous that I could not care about all that. I subconsciously held his hands tighter instead. James did not push me away. His hands were big, and his fingers were long. I could not even hold them in my hands. Right as I was about to suffocate because of my nerves, James held my icy hands. He wrapped my freezing hands in his palms and held them tightly. "Leah, push me to my room," he said. I quickly got up, but I staggered and almost fell. James reached out and grabbed my waist. "Be careful," he said. He let go very quickly, but my cheeks were a little flushed. I hummed softly in acknowledgment and took over his wheelchair from the household staff. Then, I pushed him to his room. Once the door was shut, the warm lights turned on. James glanced at me and pointed at his legs. There was a faint grin on his face, but it also seemed like it was just my illusion. "My legs don't work, Leah. I'll have to rely on you tonight." I lowered my head, not daring to look at him. I nodded a little and pinched my earlobe awkwardly just to find that it was burning… Chapter 8 Before Brad got engaged, he had a gathering. His fiancée-to-be, Zoe, was not there. It was just his friends. After a few rounds of drinks, they all were a little drunk. Someone with a big mouth suddenly mentioned Leah's name. "Brad had many girlfriends, but I still think Leah is the prettiest." "That's right. All of us agree." "Honestly, If Brad hadn't warned us, I would've gone after her." "Get in line, dude." The few of them were getting more and more overboard as they spoke. At some point, Brad put down his glass. He leaned against the couch, staring at them. Gradually, the conversation stopped. "Um, Brad, we were just talking nonsense." "We're a little drunk. We're just fooling around. Don't take it seriously." Brad, however, smiled. "You know what? Now that you mentioned her, I'm reminded of her. But is she dead? It's been a while since I last heard from her." His voice sounded cold and indifferent. It was as if he genuinely had just thought of Leah. It was as if it was a minor deal that did not matter at all if she had died. However, the entire room suddenly fell silent. Brad's assistant, Sean Lowe, smiled apologetically and said, "It's my fault, Mr. Coleman. I forgot to tell you that Ms. Young asked me to hand you some things a few days ago. She said they were quite valuable. "I figured she was probably trying to get back together with you, so I gave her some advice. That's why she hasn't come to you or made a scene." Brad glanced at Sean and sneered. "Look at you go, Sean. You're getting bolder," he said. Sean was so frightened that he quickly got up and said, "Mr. Coleman—" "Who are you to make decisions for me?" Brad barked. "Yes, I've crossed the line." Sean bowed his head, drenched in sweat. Brad looked down. He spun his ring on his middle finger out of habit and said, "Call her. Tell her to get here in 30 minutes." Sean was stunned. "Pardon?" Brad turned his head to look at the pitch-black night sky. "If she doesn't get here in time, I'll get engaged to Zoe tomorrow," Brad said.