Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
With a little time to herself, Leila turned her attention to the list of participants in the program. There were two ordinary people and two celebrities. The ordinary participants came from different walks of life-one was a student, and the other was a successful entrepreneur. Leila herself fell into the latter category. Among the celebrities was Elaine Webster, the elder sister of the girl Ewing had once mentioned.
Elaine was strikingly beautiful, with a bold, almost heroic presence. In an industry that favored delicate and demure looks, she stood out, confident and impossible to ignore. Leila could see why Ewing had been so captivated by Elaine’s sister.
As for the other celebrity, she was an unknown actress with undeniable beauty. Be it the ordinary people or the celebrities, they were undeniably pretty. The director’s lineup felt more like a beauty pageant than a genuine countryside show.
Leila studied the unknown actress and found something oddly familiar about her. She couldn’t place it, though. The memory danced just out of reach. Before Leila could dwell on it, Landon slipped his arms around her from behind, his warmth pressing against her back. He leaned down, his voice gentle. “It’s late. You should get some rest. Sophie finally crashed after being so excited. I’ve run a warm bath for you. Go relax, and I’ll have the maid keep an eye on Sophie.”
Leila turned around in his embrace, smiling up at him. “I didn’t expect you to be so thoughtful.”
Landon held her hand tighter, his voice dropping to a smooth, teasing whisper. “I’m not just thoughtful like this… Want me to show you in other ways?” His eyes darkened with desire, and Leila caught the playful glint in them.
Without missing a beat, Leila smacked his hand away, smirking. “Nice try. I’m going to bed.”
After her bath, Leila stepped out of the bathroom to find Landon still on the bed, his face etched with a comical mix of frustration and longing. The look in his dark eyes was unmistakable, like a wounded puppy staring at his favorite toy just out of reach.
Drying her hair with a towel, Leila raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing? Trying to get on my nerves?”
Landon, with all seriousness, pointed toward the window. “It looks like it’s going to rain.”
Leila narrowed her eyes, catching his intent. “Don’t even start it. You’re not afraid of thunder.”
Landon met her gaze, his dark eyes serious and unflinching. “No, but I know you are.”
Leila’s heart gave a little tremor. After all these years, he still remembered. Sophie wasn’t scared of thunder, though. Every time it stormed, Sophie would stay by Leila’s side, comforting Leila in her own quiet way. Although Leila was not as scared as before, she still couldn’t sleep all night. And with the shoot scheduled for tomorrow, the thought gave her a mild headache.
Without a word, Landon stepped closer and gently took the hairdryer from Leila’s hand, his fingers sliding softly through her damp hair. “It’s alright,” he said quietly. “I’ll stay with you tonight. If it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll just sit by the window. I won’t sleep on the bed.”
Leila looked at him, her voice low. “Forget it. You’ll catch a cold sleeping there all night, and then I’ll have to take care of you.”
Landon’s lips curved into a soft smile. “Worried about me?”
Leila snorted but didn’t utter a word. After drying her hair, Landon scooped her up and gently laid her on the bed. True to his word, he didn’t try anything. Instead, he simply held her close, his hand softly patting her back in a soothing rhythm.
Leila shifted slightly, her cheeks warming with embarrassment. “I’m not a kid, Landon. You don’t have to put me to sleep like this.”
Landon leaned in, his face close enough to catch her familiar scent. He sighed, his voice low. “Every time I’m this close to you, I can’t help but wonder if it’s all just a dream. I’m scared that when I open my eyes, I’ll be back in that foreign place, far from you and Sophie. The thought of you two is what kept me going.”
Leila, growing drowsy, asked in a soft, sleepy voice, “What really happened when you were abroad? You never told me… But I can guess it must’ve been dangerous.”
Landon didn’t answer right away. He just watched her, his gaze tender, as her breathing became slow and steady, sleep claiming her. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and whispered, “The past doesn’t matter anymore.”
For the first time in ages, Leila slept peacefully through a thunderstorm.
The next morning, Leila woke at six, her alarm softly buzzing. She had planned to get up early, make breakfast, and let Sophie sleep in a little longer. But to Leila’s surprise, when she walked into the kitchen, she found Landon already there, busy preparing breakfast.
Leila watched Landon bustling about in the kitchen, hardly able to believe her eyes. Landon, who hailed from the high-status Kensington family of Burmoos, was donning an apron, cooking for her, and tidying up the house. It was a sight so unbelievable that if word got out, no one would accept it as truth.
After their meal, Leila and Sophie set off together. Leila had expected things might not unfold smoothly, yet she hadn’t anticipated it would derail quite so dramatically on the very first day. Due to a mix-up by the program’s crew, Leila was given a later time than scheduled. Although she usually liked to head out early, this miscommunication resulted in her arriving twenty minutes late.
Upon reaching the venue, the crew, visibly distressed and sweating, hurried over to clear the air. “I’m sorry, Miss Nixon. We originally planned to start at the time we told you, but the schedule was changed last minute. We update the guests through a group chat, and I didn’t realize you weren’t included in it.”
Leila’s eyebrows arched in mild surprise as she scanned the area and noticed three young people standing nearby. “Who set up that group?” she inquired.
An employee quickly responded, “It was organized by Elaine. The group’s admin is another celebrity, Saniya Mason.”
Leila was no fool. It didn’t take her long to sense that something was off. It was their first day, and none of them were acquainted yet. She might have accessed the guest list earlier, thanks to her prior rapport with the director. But what about the others? Perhaps it was merely an accident.
When the production team approached Leila to see if she needed clarity on the unfolding situation, she dismissed the idea with a shake of her head. Probing now would seem out of place. The moment for questions had already slipped by. Besides, it seemed trivial. Hand in hand with Sophie, Leila approached and greeted each guest with genuine warmth.
Their arrival brought smiles all around, though not all faces mirrored the joy. Elaine and Saniya stood apart, marked by their somber expressions. When Leila caught sight of Saniya, realization dawned on her. Saniya was the girl Leila had encountered during her visit to the manor with Clayton. At that time, Leila had made a kind effort to persuade Saniya, but Saniya was convinced that Leila had intentionally tricked her. Because of this, Leila formed a negative impression of Saniya.
Saniya recognized Leila and instinctively hid behind Elaine, as if dodging a threat. Elaine merely scoffed and struck a haughty pose, her closeness with Saniya evident to all.
An ordinary guest, a college student, approached Leila with a warm greeting. “So, you’re the renowned entrepreneur everyone’s talking about online. You truly are as beautiful as they say. I’ve heard about your dealings with the Turner Group. Your performance is impressive.”
The girl appeared youthful, with a round face and sparkling, childlike eyes that added to her charm. When she smiled, revealing dimples, it immediately lifted the spirits of those around her.
Leila, catching the positive vibe, smiled back. “I’m really not as remarkable as the media makes me out to be. It’s great to meet you.”
The girl was surprised. “I had no idea you’d be so approachable. My name is Debbie Clifford, a sophomore at Burmoos University. I’m here to gain some experience. It’s amazing how everyone here is so accomplished. You’re barely older than me, yet your achievements are so impressive.”
Debbie’s enthusiasm shone as she continued to compliment the group. Leila chuckled. “I’m older than you. I have a daughter.”
“Sophie, come over here and say hi to everyone.” Sophie approached with a sweet smile and greeted everyone warmly.
Elaine, who had been somewhat reserved, softened visibly and gently touched Sophie’s cheek. Meanwhile, Saniya remained quiet, hiding behind Elaine once more.
Debbie couldn’t contain her excitement as she squealed and swept Sophie into a hug. “Oh my goodness! She’s adorable. I’ve never seen such a charming little girl before. She’s absolutely delightful!”
Unfazed by the new faces, Sophie chuckled in Debbie’s embrace. “When I grow up, I want to be a star just like you! I’ll shine in the entertainment world and be as gorgeous as you.”
Debbie laughed and gently corrected her. “Well, I’m not a star, and you should focus on your studies first. I’m attending Burmoos University. Maybe you can join me there when you’re older.”
Sophie’s eyes lit up with admiration as she nodded eagerly. Just then, a bitter voice cut through the pleasant exchange. “It must be nice to be rich. With money, you can just waltz into the entertainment industry and snatch up opportunities. If only I had been born into a better family, I wouldn’t have to struggle so much to make it in this business.”
Upon hearing this, Leila abruptly looked up, her gaze icy. Her eyes locked on Saniya, who was cowering behind Elaine. With a mix of reluctance and grievance, Saniya uttered those words in a faint, aggrieved tone.
Leila’s brows knit together tightly. The program was being broadcast live, and everyone online could hear their conversation. Sophie’s naive statements made it unclear whether she would carve out a career in show business. Yet, Saniya seemed convinced that Leila intended to push Sophie into the limelight to usurp others’ opportunities, prompting her remark.
Predictably, Saniya’s followers began to chime in with biting sarcasm.
“Saniya, saying that is going to upset a few people.”
“I just can’t stomach these wealthy types. Being pretty as a child doesn’t guarantee anything later on.”
“Saniya has climbed to where she is on her own merit. We have no respect for those who buy their way in.”
“Such a young girl and already so cunning. Clearly, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“I never thought Saniya, appearing so meek and mild, would take such a bold stand.”
“Everyone knows Saniya is notorious for this in showbiz. She may seem frail, but she’s cuttingly articulate. Ha!”
The air was thick with remarks displayed across a large screen. Sophie had experienced such criticism for the first time and was visibly perplexed and uneasy as she looked at Leila. Despite her young age, she was bright and had a good grasp of language.
Debbie, with a frown creasing her brow, expressed her discontent softly. “She’s just a child. Why are you taking this so seriously?”
At that moment, Saniya stepped forward, her tone grave. “It’s important to take what children say seriously. Their words reflect the education they’ve received.” Saniya’s gaze then shifted to Leila, marked by a hint of displeasure.
Leila returned Saniya’s look with a frosty stare. Saniya, slightly unnerved yet determined, said, “Miss Nixon, it might be hard to hear, but for the child’s sake, it’s crucial to point out that prioritizing fame and wealth in her upbringing is not appropriate. There might be some issues with how she’s being taught.”
Seeing Saniya oppose Leila, Sophie felt a surge of unhappiness and shoved Saniya lightly. “Don’t talk about my mommy like that.”
Sophie’s push was gentle, but Saniya staggered dramatically and fell to the ground in an awkward heap. She seemed to have fallen badly, her hands and knees scraped and bleeding. A few members of the crew immediately rushed over to check on her..
But despite the commotion, the filming continued. Elaine, who was closest to Saniya, was instantly alarmed and hurried to help her up. “Saniya, are you alright? Oh no, you are bleeding. Does it hurt?”
Even if Elaine was acting, her concern for Saniya seemed genuine. Her eyes welled up with tears, a mixture of fear and worry.
Online audiences were furious with Leila and Sophie.
“Is that kid out of her mind? Saniya was just telling the truth and looking out for the kid. So why did the kid push her?”
“I thought this show would be worth watching, but it’s hard to even comment with that mother and daughter around. If you want us to keep tuning in, eliminate them.”