Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“If you don’t believe me, go see for yourself,” Neal said, stepping aside.
Leila hesitated for a moment and then walked into the room. She’d expected to find Brysen in a terrible state, a shadow of her former self. But what she found was completely different from what she’d imagined.
Brysen was sitting by the window, bathed in sunlight. She was dressed neatly, her hair brushed and styled. Someone had obviously been taking good care of her. She was watering a small pot of flowers, a peaceful smile on her face.
She looked healthier and happier than the last time Leila had laid eyes on her.
“Brysen?” Leila asked hesitantly.
But just like the last time, Brysen didn’t answer. She just smiled faintly. If not for her lack of a response, she seemed almost normal.
Just then, Neal walked up behind Leila.
“Miss Nixon, as you can see, Brysen is doing okay now. She’s getting better.”
“I took her to the hospital a few days ago, and the doctor said she’ll probably continue like this. That’s why I suggested not leaving here for now. Being her boyfriend, I’ve already made plans. In a month, I will marry her. Even if she never gets completely better, I’m not going to leave her. I’m telling you this because I want you to know you can trust me to take care of her.”
Leila coughed, feeling a little awkward. She felt she was intruding on things between Neal and Brysen. It wouldn’t be right for her to get involved in their relationship. Besides, Neal seemed to treat Brysen nicely. She had no reason to worry.
Leila gave Neal a grateful smile.
“Thanks for your effort on Brysen’s recovery,” she said.
Neal walked over to Brysen and took her hand, looking at her with what appeared to be an affectionate expression.
“I love her with all my heart,” he said.
“Being with her is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. Plus, Mr. Morgan even granted me a long leave after he learned everything.”
Leila gave a nod, crossing the room to where Brysen sat. She reached out, brushing her fingers gently through Brysen’s hair.
“Oh, Brysen, how I’ve yearned to be by your side again. I’ll make sure to visit more often. You need to heal and find that spark of joy that used to light up your world.”
Suddenly, Brysen, previously engulfed in silence, erupted in wild and chaotic motion. She hurled the watering can she had clutched directly at Leila.
Leila, startled yet devoid of anger, stepped back, her eyes wide with dismay.
“Brysen, what’s happened? Do you feel unwell?”
Gasping for air, Brysen shot Leila a look, her eyes a turbulent storm of pain and accusation. A chill raced down Leila’s spine as she deciphered the accusation in Brysen’s stormy eyes.
Brysen was blaming her, an unmistakable and fierce grudge that seemed to emanate from the depths of Brysen’s soul. But why? Was it because she had asked Brysen to shadow that mysterious figure and confirm if it truly was Landon?
“Brysen,” Leila whispered, her voice trembling as she took a tentative step forward, her hands nervously clasping each other.
“Are you blaming me? Are you haunted by the memory of that day when I asked you to follow him? I regret it deeply. It was my error, one I wish I could erase. I should have been the one to go. I am truly sorry.”
Tears streaked down Leila’s cheeks as she spoke.
Brysen, gripping Leila’s hand, attempted to form words, her mouth moving soundlessly in a desperate effort to communicate.
“Miss Nixon.” Neal quickly stepped in, his expression tinged with feigned concern.
“Brysen’s still not stable. The doctor warned us not to upset her. It might be best if you left for now.”
Leila wanted to say more, but the sight of Brysen thrashing about and hurling objects in distress made her bite back her words. She couldn’t shake off the guilt, believing Brysen resented her and couldn’t bear her presence. She surmised if that was the case, she would keep her distance.
As Neal led Leila to the door, Leila was reminded of her original intention to visit. She withdrew a check from her purse.
“I see how deeply you care for Brysen,” she said, handing it over.
“Though you’ve taken time off work, with Brysen’s situation so unpredictable, it’s prudent to have some funds on hand for any emergencies.”
A flicker of glint sparked briefly in Neal’s eyes, but it disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared, unnoticed by Leila.
Neal shook his head in refusal.
“Leila, I appreciate it, but I can’t accept this. I committed to look after Brysen. Accepting money now would compromise the sincerity of my intentions.”
Leila quickly said, “My only wish is for Brysen to find some serenity in her life. Brysen doesn’t want to see me now, and my visits will be few and far between. If you accept it, I’ll feel more at ease.”
With a sigh, Neal conceded.
“Alright, I’ll hold onto this money for Brysen. Once she’s better, I’ll make sure it gets to her.”
Observing Neal’s seemingly genuine expression, Leila realized she might have been wrong to label Brysen as foolishly naive in romance. It was reassuring to see that someone was genuinely looking out for Brysen.
After seeing Leila off, Neal’s face twisted into a cunning smirk. He flamboyantly waved the check, a triumphant chuckle escaping his lips as he strolled back inside.
Brysen had ceased her frantic scrambling. The sound of Neal’s footsteps caused her to stiffen abruptly, and she hastily gathered the scattered items around her, feigning nonchalance as she watered the plants, as if her earlier breakdown hadn’t happened.
Noticing Brysen’s nervous demeanor, Neal couldn’t help but grin malevolently. He raised his voice, his tone dripping with deceit.
“See, Leila is such an easy mark. She actually believes I care about you.”
Brysen’s body went rigid, her hands gripping the watering can like a lifeline. Regardless of Neal’s provoking words, she stood still, too scared to stand up to him.
Brysen’s memory had been returning in fragments since her arrival, and one horrifying fact was crystal clear. Neal was among those who had raped and abused her. She belatedly realized Neal was the very definition of a slimy hypocrite, a real lowlife who couldn’t be trusted.
Regrettably, his acting skills were top-notch, and he had successfully duped Leila.
Brysen tried to keep her regained memories a secret, but Neal was one step ahead and poisoned her, rendering her mute forever.
Initially, Brysen considered fleeing. However, after enduring days of relentless abuse, she lost all hope. She knew escaping was futile because Clayton, the true mastermind of her misery, was still out there. Escape would only lead to capture, and Clayton would ensure her fate was far grimmer.
Brysen had been broken so thoroughly that she no longer clung to life itself. Yet, she couldn’t bear to watch Leila remain in the dark, tricked by these villains.
Brysen held no resentment toward Leila for that fateful day. Her earlier actions were merely desperate attempts to spark some doubt in Leila’s mind.
She hadn’t anticipated that Neal would uncover her actions. As Neal recalled Brysen’s earlier behavior, a dangerous gleam flashed in his eyes. He fixed Brysen with a malevolent sneer that sent a chill through the air.
“Brysen, were you trying to signal Leila moments earlier?” he demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Panic surged through Brysen, her body shaking as she frantically shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together in denial.
Neal, however, was far from persuaded. His face contorted into a harsher expression as he strode toward her, his movements predatory. Suddenly, he reached out, his fingers cruelly twisting into her hair and yanking her head back with brutal force. A sharp, searing pain exploded across Brysen’s scalp.
Neal exuded an aura of innate brutality, revealing his merciless side. Brysen harbored suspicions about his inherently violent streak.
Though Neal’s lips still bore a smile, it was one of pure malevolence, making Brysen’s heart pound with fear.
“Brysen,” Neal whispered, his tone deceptively soft, yet it carried the ominous echo of a lurking threat. “Haven’t I treated you well? Yes, I’ve hit and threatened you, but all I want is for you to behave properly.”
Neal’s voice was coated with feigned gentleness as he clutched Brysen’s hair, steering her toward the bathroom. His smile twisted cruelly as he spoke louder, each word a deliberate stab.
“Really, look at yourself. You’ve turned into a pathetic mess. Frankly, if I were you, the thought of facing another day would be too much to bear.”
Brysen stared at her miserable reflection, her body trembling uncontrollably. She couldn’t tell if the shiver was born of rage or intense terror. Her eyes, wide with shock, mirrored the grotesque visage that confronted her.
Scars, some fresh and weeping, marred her once beautiful features, permanent reminders of her torment. Neal’s cruel mockery didn’t stop.
“Just look at you now. Even if you return to Leila’s side, do you think she’d still want you? I’d lose all hope if I were you. Imagine, every time you walk down the street, the whispers, the stares, calling you a monster, a freak. And remember, it’s all because of Leila. You should despise her.”
Tears cascaded down Brysen’s cheeks, wetting the gruesome scars and making her appearance even more terrifying. Brysen couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by her own reflection. While vanity was not her priority, she was still a young woman, naturally inclined to cherish her looks. The abrupt transformation into something she could hardly recognize was more than she could bear.