Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Hearing this, Edgar was dumbfounded. Hadn’t Sarah always been keen to please Landon? What had caused her sudden change of heart?
Relaying Sarah’s message to Landon, Edgar anticipated Landon’s confusion.
Yet, Landon’s reaction was surprisingly calm, as if he had anticipated this. He paused his activity and offered Edgar a smile. This smile, however, was different. It radiated genuine happiness, as if he was truly joyful from within. “Do you see that, Edgar? I succeeded in fooling everyone.”
Saying this, Landon’s smile vanished. “She believes it, too,” he murmured.
Edgar knew Landon referred to Leila. He let out a sigh as he pondered the situation between Landon and Leila. Maybe this was fate. He hoped Landon could move on as soon as possible.
Edgar reasoned it was probably best for Leila to stay with the Nixon family rather than stick by Landon’s side. That way, Landon could go ahead with his plans without any reservations.
Dark clouds gathered and lightning streaked across the sky, signaling an impending downpour.
A brisk wind whipped Leila’s face, causing her to sneeze.
“Stay away from the window. You don’t want to catch a cold,” a deep male voice cautioned from behind her.
Turning, Leila greeted Ewing with a warm smile.
As Ewing moved to close the window, he spoke with a tone of resignation. “I’ve planned to send Bria back to Ferelden, but she’s really against the idea. Given her health, I’m worried forcing the issue might cause her condition to worsen.”
Ewing took a moment to read Leila’s expression, searching for any signs of discomfort or anger. To his relief, her eyes remained calm and devoid of any upset.
Comforted by Leila’s serene demeanor, Ewing continued with reassurance in his tone, “Don’t worry. I’ve promised to protect you, and I intend to keep that promise by managing everything accordingly. Bria and you clearly don’t get along, and while you haven’t shared the specifics, I have my suspicions about the reason behind Bria’s hostility. Regardless, I plan to send her away.”
Leila looked at Ewing, visibly surprised by his declaration. She had half-expected him to ask her to make peace with Bria, considering she was under his roof. Moreover, he had made public commitments to her welfare. She thought she might have to put up a polite front, avoiding Bria if things got too difficult.
Ewing’s resolution to send Bria back was something Leila didn’t even dream of. It was a relief and showed a level of understanding and fairness she hadn’t anticipated from Bria’s cousin.
This gesture significantly lessened Leila’s reservations about Ewing.
Feeling a newfound ease, Leila smiled and expressed herself through sign language, which was swiftly interpreted. “Thank you for your efforts. If you get caught up in the situation, don’t bother with sending her away. I’m well-protected here, and she won’t be able to harm me.”
Ewing’s expression, however, tightened into a frown, his concern evident. “You don’t know Bria. Once she sets her mind to something, she follows through, no matter the consequences. She’s clever, but not always morally guided. Don’t fret. She’s my cousin, and I know how to handle her.”
Leila nodded, appreciating his support.
Ewing then shifted the conversation to a more personal note. “I’d really appreciate it if you could spend more time with Tyrone, even if it’s just being there quietly by his side. Ever since you arrived, even though you two haven’t interacted much, his appetite has improved. It seems just having you around might be making him happier.”.
Leila acknowledged his request with another nod. She had intended to visit Tyrone earlier, but recent events and her own health issues had kept her away. The doctor had advised rest, and she had planned to see Tyrone once she felt better.
Still, the thought of visiting Tyrone brought Leila a mix of anticipation and anxiety, given everything that had happened. “Mr. Nixon, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me all these days, and I understand your desire for Tyrone’s recovery. However, I don’t think I am his biological granddaughter. If this comes to light, it could be a big blow to him. Maybe I could visit him under a different pretext?”
Leila was genuinely concerned for Tyrone.
Ewing observed Leila, his expression a complex mix of emotions.
Though modern DNA testing might find it difficult to prove Leila was his cousin due to Leila’s parents’ death, Ewing still had the means to confirm it if he wished to, given the advanced medical equipment.
Ewing knew Landon was right. Leila was part of the Nixon family. She was his aunt’s daughter.
Ewing supposed Leila harbored suspicions about her heritage but perhaps found the truth difficult to accept.
With his aunt gone and the full story obscured by the past, Ewing held onto a hope that misunderstandings would eventually clear.
Ewing responded to Leila’s proposal with understanding and a hint of resignation, “Talking to Tyrone about this wouldn’t change anything. Let’s just let things unfold naturally. I won’t hold it against you if you turn out not to be my cousin. Everyone has their path to follow.”
Reassured by Ewing’s response, Leila did not press the issue further.
Led by the maid, Leila approached Tyrone’s room. Her attention was immediately captured by the familiar scene of Tyrone playing the piano. The melody was evocative, much like the first time they had met.
The maid accompanying Leila whispered that before taking over the family business, Tyrone had been the most artistically accomplished member of the Nixon family. Had his life taken a different path, he might have become a nationally recognized artist.
Leila listened, moved by the music that seemed to cleanse the soul, and chose not to interrupt, settling herself quietly to one side.
As the piece drew to a close, Tyrone seemed to sense Leila’s presence. He looked up with a gentle smile, his eyes meeting hers. “Do you remember this piece?” he asked.
Leila, taken aback, instinctively pointed to herself, questioning if he was indeed speaking to her.
Tyrone confirmed with a nod and then switched to sign language, making the communication more personal and direct.
Tyrone’s gestures practically said, “I remember now. I had seen you at the Miller family’s banquet. I wasn’t very clear-headed at the time but felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing you, warming up to you instantly. Once home, I couldn’t shake off the possibility that you’re Siena’s daughter. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed likely.”
Leila felt a surge of confusion. She gestured toward his ears, expressing through sign language that she was surprised by his proficiency in sign language and recalled he wore hearing aids the first time they met..
Tyrone responded with a smile, his expression tinged with a sense of nostalgia and longing.
His hand moved as his gestures explained that over the years, he had let go of many responsibilities tied to the Nixon family to search the world for Siena and her daughter. He would assume different identities whenever his memory confusion clouded his mind. Back at their first encounter, he had thought of himself as a deaf-mute, thus wearing hearing aids and learning sign language.
After sharing this story, Tyrone smiled awkwardly and made a playful shushing gesture. He added that Ewing didn’t know about this and preferred Leila to keep it a secret between them since he did not want Ewing to worry about him.
Tyrone’s confession eased Leila’s nerves, drawing a laugh from her. The mood in the room lightened up.
Leila then told Tyrone she didn’t mind him talking since she enjoyed hearing different voices. She hoped she could make her own voice heard one day.
Tyrone nodded, his expression thoughtful.
The two chatted for a while.
Leila’s initial nervousness melted away as she came to view Tyrone not just as a previous formidable family leader but as an amiable elder.
Leila still harbored doubts about the truth of her lineage. Yet, she had decided to set aside any past grievances with the Nixon family if she was really Tyrone’s biological granddaughter, choosing to embrace a more serene and joyful approach to life during her stay.
Just then, there was a sudden urgent knock at the door.
Tyrone’s demeanor shifted instantly. He signaled to the nanny, who promptly went to answer the door.
Standing in the doorway was Noemi.
Noemi burst into the room, tears streaming down her face. “Mr. Tyrone Nixon, please, you must let Miss Nixon stay. Mr. Ewing Nixon is set on sending her away, and Miss Nixon has suffered her third relapse today. You’re aware of her fragile health. If these episodes continue, she might not withstand the strain. Mr. Ewing Nixon is adamant on this. But he clearly has misunderstood Miss Nixon. Worse, he won’t listen to anyone. Your intervention is needed. Otherwise, the situation could deteriorate.”
Tyrone’s brow furrowed in concern and confusion. “Bria had a relapse? Why wasn’t I informed?”
Noemi lowered her head to hide the guilt in her eyes. “Miss Nixon didn’t want to worry you, knowing you need more rest. She just took some emergency heart medication to cope with her own suffering.”
Tyrone’s response was tinged with displeasure. “If Bria is ill, she should be seeing a doctor. What’s the use of coming to me? What am I supposed to do? I’m not a physician. How can I possibly cure her?”
With a hopeful look, Noemi quickly interjected, “Mr. Tyrone Nixon, so does this mean you agree to let Miss Nixon stay?”
Tyrone simply shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. Ewing has a mind of his own. If he’s made such a decision, he undoubtedly has his reasons. Moreover, he isn’t one to act recklessly. He likely has arranged everything for Bria’s departure. Just trust his plan and proceed with his orders. Why must Bria and you fuss over this?”
Noemi grew visibly distressed and hastily said, “Miss Nixon didn’t intend to make a fuss, but…”
Noemi’s face contorted with feigned sadness. “But she really doesn’t want to leave you. She’s concerned about you.”
Tyrone let out a chuckle. “Don’t think my aging means I will get confused often. Today, my memory is sharp. I distinctly remember Bria insisting on leaving a while back.”
Noemi’s dramatic sobbing ceased. A hint of embarrassment crossed her face. But at this point, she could only continue her charade. “But everything that happened before was a misunderstanding.”
Suddenly, Noemi pointed at Leila. “It’s all this woman’s fault! Miss Nixon and Mr. Ewing Nixon were fine until this woman appeared. Since then, they’ve been arguing nonstop. Miss Nixon was so upset that she fell ill. Moreover, Mr. Ewing Nixon only decided to send Miss Nixon away because of this woman’s request.”
Noemi stared at Leila with resentment. She held Leila responsible for every bit of humiliation she had endured recently. If only Leila had stayed in the room instead of resorting to tricks, things might have been different.
Bria had seethed with anger, feeling fooled by Leila. Despite her fury, she couldn’t quite throw tantrums. Losing her temper would only bring disgrace, especially if others caught wind of this. So, she directed all her pent-up rage at Noemi instead.