Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Betsy’s face drained of color, and she stared at Leila in disbelief. “Leila, are you out of your mind?” she blurted. Leila’s expression was one of mild distress as she responded, “I’ve already told you I don’t trust you. I’m not interested in any secrets. I just want to make it out alive. Why do you keep pushing these stories on me? Do you want to see me silenced like others, without a tongue to speak?”
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Under Griffin’s icy stare, Betsy’s nerves frayed. She stuttered, trying to explain to him, “Sir… I… I was only joking with her. I promise, it won’t happen again.”
Griffin’s smile was thin and unamused. “Really? Just a joke? It seemed to me like you were about to lead her somewhere forbidden.”
Feeling the threatening coldness in Griffin’s demeanor, Betsy shuddered and bowed deeply, her body trembling.
Betsy hastily said to Griffin, “I was only joking. I understand the consequences. I would never take Leila to such a place.”
Leila chimed in from the side, “You surely grasp the consequences and have never been one to betray anyone here. Yet, despite my lack of interest, you seemed intent on telling me secrets, which could get me silenced permanently after hearing you out.”
Leila sighed and caressed her belly. “I’m uncertain about the impact on the baby if that were to occur. I desire to live here in peace and have a safe delivery. I’m puzzled about how I upset you.”
Betsy looked on, her eyes widening in shock. She had not anticipated Leila’s dramatic performance.
Griffin looked at Betsy with chilling intensity, as if she were already dead. “Betsy, my father and I might have shown you excessive kindness, causing you to forget our rules. If you wish to appease my anger, you know the necessary steps, right?”
Leila pondered silently about the underlying reasons that despite everything, they were inclined to keep Betsy around.
Betsy’s complexion turned ashen. She recognized that any justification would be futile. She had no choice but to exit in defeat to accept her fate.
Before departing, Betsy threw a menacing look at Leila and whispered ominously, “Just wait and see.”
Leila feigned fright. She then suggested to Griffin, “Perhaps imprisoning me would ensure greater safety.” Griffin paused, offering a subdued smile. “Your initial days here were marked by much more bravery.”
Leila abandoned her guise and stated plainly, “My outlook was bleak upon arrival. Survival seemed unlikely. Now, the situation has evolved. I can sense my child growing within. I wish for a prosperous future for my child. By cooperating more now, the prospects for both me and my unborn child should improve. After all, you’ve pledged to protect my child’s life.”
Griffin nodded and remarked, “You’re truthful.”
He then smiled warmly at Leila, announcing, “I have uplifting news for you. Soon, you’ll discover the gender of the baby. Many attending physicians believe it’s likely a boy.”
Leila managed a weak smile. For her, the baby’s gender was inconsequential.
That evening, alone in her room, Leila reflected on recent hardships. Restlessness plagued her. Sleep eluded her entirely. Her pregnancy hormones left her emotionally delicate.
Daytime brought challenges with the Griffin family. At night, Leila felt utterly exposed. Her thoughts drifted to Landon and Sophie. She pondered their current well-being. She wondered if Sophie struggled to sleep in her absence. After relocating, Leila no longer encountered the mother-daughter servants she knew.
Griffin had mentioned their assignment to the garden, yet Leila hadn’t seen them on the island thereafter. Their fate remained unknown to her.
Daily, Leila lived under relentless stress. Sleep barely came at night.
Leila caressed her swelling belly, whispering, “Baby, may you bring blessings to your sister and your father.” Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Leila instantly tensed, alert to the intrusion. Who could it be?
The lights flickered on. A bodyguard entered, followed by a newcomer, both offering gentle smiles.
“Apologies for the late disturbance, Miss Nixon. Mr. Griffin Perry mentioned your baby is several months along. Nutritionists alone aren’t sufficient for your baby’s wellbeing. We’ve brought a specialized prenatal fitness coach who focuses on embryonic learning. He will lead you in exercises to promote a smooth delivery, ensuring the baby’s health and intelligence.”
Leila’s expression showed a hint of concern. They seemed overly focused on the baby. She responded with a polite smile, “Really? Please convey my thanks to Griffin.”
The bodyguard nodded in satisfaction and introduced the man, stating, “You may refer to him as White.”
White gave Leila a nod. His appearance was unremarkable, blending easily into any crowd.
White stepped forward and bowed to Leila with respect.
“Hello, Miss Nixon.”
Leila showed a hint of surprise. “‘He actually…”
Smiling, the bodyguard added, “White comes recommended by Mr. Perry’s friend, which naturally lends him credibility. We needn’t take additional precautions.”
Leila suspected things might be more complex than they appeared.
As the bodyguard departed, White turned to leave, but Leila stopped him. “White, please stay a moment.”
White paused and then approached Leila’s bedside, maintaining a respectful distance. “What may I assist you with, Miss Nixon?”
Leila, with a smile, inquired, “Given my belly’s size compared to others at this stage, should I be more active?” White shook his head.
“It’s not essential. It varies with each individual. However, do not worry. Mr. Perry has arranged for a comprehensive prenatal examination next week. Afterward, I’ll customize a plan specifically for you.”
Leila noticed a brief glint of something concealed on White. Despite being well hidden, it was detectable in the low light.
Leila rose from her bed and moved toward White. As she drew near, her eyes slightly widened.
White instinctively stepped back as Leila approached. Suddenly, Leila faltered and swayed, eventually collapsing.
White reacted swiftly, stepping forward to catch her. “Careful!”
Seizing the moment, Leila fell into his arms, the familiar scent overwhelming her, bringing tears she could no longer suppress. She then pushed White away and signaled to him with her hands. “Landon?”
His eyes widened in shock. He hesitated and then nodded in affirmation.
Indeed, it was Landon. He had invested considerable effort to infiltrate. He wore a tailor-made disguise, making breathing somewhat difficult but effectively concealing his identity. The disguise was convincing, nearly undetectable unless compromised.
Landon had trained for two months to mimic an ordinary demeanor convincingly. Aware of the stakes, he refrained from any hasty decisions. Surprisingly, Leila had recognized him right away.
Overcome with mixed feelings, Landon responded anxiously with hand signals. “Was it that obvious?”
Leila shook her head. She couldn’t explain how she knew it was Landon the moment she saw him. It felt like an unspoken connection.
Some people stood there without saying anything, and Leila could recognize them.
Carefully, Leila reached out and touched Landon’s face, feeling the warmth of his skin. She had believed she would never see Landon again. The doctors had warned her that Landon might not survive. “When did you wake up?” Leila asked with hand signals. “And how did you find me?”
Landon reassured her with gestures that practically said, “I’m going to take you home. Don’t worry. I’ve changed my appearance so no one will know it’s me.”
Leila shook her head firmly and gestured frantically. “You need to go back. What about Sophie? She’ll be terrified without us.”
Landon’s heart swelled with a mix of emotions, his hand signals showing his inner turmoil. “You’re all alone here. Don’t worry. I’m taking you with me, no matter what. Trust me, I can handle this. Please, don’t be afraid.” Landon reached out and embraced Leila tightly.
Leila didn’t resist. Even though Landon’s face was different, his scent was the same. It brought her a wave of comfort, easing her worries and fears.
Leila allowed herself to stay nestled in Landon’s arms for five peaceful minutes.
Ernesto and Griffin were so confident in their control of the situation that they didn’t bother putting cameras in Leila’s room. They had planted a listening device on Landon, the only outsider who could still speak.
It was just that Ernesto and Griffin hadn’t anticipated that Landon and Leila would communicate using sign language.
After stepping out of Landon’s embrace, Leila quickly explained the situation using signs and then urged Landon to leave. Landon couldn’t linger, or it would only raise eyebrows.
Landon’s gaze clung to Leila, reluctant to break away. Even in those eyes, still new to her, Leila saw a tenderness she recognized, a love that felt like home. His eyes, filled with affection, met hers. “Wait for me,” he whispered.
With a gentle kiss on her forehead, Landon turned to go.
As Landon’s figure faded into the distance, Leila felt an ache in her chest, a hollowness where he had been. But the fear and confusion that once clouded her mind had lifted. Lying on the bed, her hand softly stroking her growing belly, a newfound confidence bloomed within her. Escape was possible.
Leila and Landon found ways to connect every day, but in public, she maintained a facade of distrust, careful not to raise any alarms.
Their paths crossed often, though.