Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
The caregiver raised an eyebrow, surprised by Landon’s disinterest.
“The White family is always shrouded in mystery, especially Gracelyn. Look at the strange rules she sets. And now, she treated that visitor like family. But you’re not even a little curious? You’ve got some serious restraint.”
The caregiver continued trying to persuade Landon.
“I heard that woman is incredibly beautiful. Aren’t you tempted to see her? They say she looks just like an angel.”
Landon exhaled sharply, suppressing his annoyance. The caregiver was getting on his nerves, and he was on the verge of shooing him away. However, Landon realized he wasn’t at his home. Moreover, the caregiver was employed by the White family. So, he held back his words, choosing not to be rude. With a measured tone, he replied, “I’m not interested in other women. For me, the most beautiful woman in the world is my wife. No matter how stunning someone else is, they’ll never compare.”
The caregiver clicked his tongue in amusement but didn’t push further, sauntering off to find a more entertaining distraction.
Once the room was quiet again, Landon resumed his rehabilitation exercises before settling beside the bed. Staring into the distance, sadness flickered in his gaze. He couldn’t help but wonder where Leila was and if she was struggling without him beside her. She was probably frantic with worry.
Softly, he whispered toward the horizon, “Leila, wait for me. I’ll come back to you.”
Meanwhile, Leila found herself unusually exhausted after breakfast. She decided to pause her search for Landon and take a quick nap instead. Her nerves had been on edge for days, so the sudden fatigue wasn’t surprising.
To her surprise, Leila slept through most of the day, only waking up as evening approached. She was startled after realizing she had been asleep for that long.
Leila scrambled to gather her things, ready to leave. But just as she finished packing, a servant appeared at her door.
“Mrs. White thought you’d be awake by now. She’s asked me to invite you to join her for dinner.”
Leila glanced at the darkening sky, her expression hesitant.
“Please thank her for me, but I really can’t stay. My kids must be worried sick. What if I propose that I’ll find time to spend with Gracelyn in the next few days? Please let her know.”
Leila headed toward the exit, but the servant stepped in her path.
With a sigh, the servant spoke in a tone laced with subtle warning.
“Miss Nixon, you must understand. Since you arrived, Mrs. White has been eating and taking her medication without complaint. If you leave now, she might regress. Couldn’t you stay just a little longer?”
Leila’s patience thinned, frustration flickering in her eyes.
“I get it, and I want to help her. But I have responsibilities too. My kids need me and my husband.”
Her voice trailed off, almost revealing Landon’s situation, but she caught herself. Taking a steadying breath, she said firmly, “I have to go back. Please, don’t stop me.”
The servant’s polite demeanor shifted, her gaze darkening. She slowly approached Leila, her voice dripping with an unsettling chill.
“Miss Nixon, you promised to stay with Mrs. White. Are you going to break your promise?”
The servant’s words had an unsettling edge to her tone. Sensing something was off, Leila couldn’t help but notice the servant’s unstable demeanor.
Backing away, Leila yelled, “Is anyone there? Help!”
Within moments, the bodyguards arrived.
Leila hurriedly explained, “She seems to be acting erratically and may want to harm me. Please restrain her.”
Unexpectedly, the bodyguards turned on Leila, swiftly restraining her instead.
Realization hit Leila like a thunderbolt. This had been planned all along. She could have walked away, but her fleeting moment of compassion had ensnared her.
Now filled with regret and fear, Leila looked around warily, gritting her teeth.
“What do you want? I warn you, if I disappear, the police will find me soon.”
The servant laughed, her tone chilling.
“Missing? Don’t be dramatic. You’re just visiting family. And since you promised to care for Mrs. White, you’ll stay. Now that her grandson is gone, you should stay and fulfill your promise. Don’t even think about leaving. If you miss your kids, we can bring them here. That way, Mrs. White will never feel lonely again.”
Leila fought against her restraints, but her body felt too weak to break free. Her limbs trembled, but her mind stayed sharp, refusing to succumb to sleep.
Leila couldn’t understand why this was happening.
Just as Leila opened her mouth to ask, she realized she couldn’t find the strength to form the words.
Before she could demand answers, a wheelchair was wheeled in. Leila watched in despair as they guided her into the wheelchair.
Leila couldn’t even speak now. She screamed inwardly, What is going on?
Her body felt paralyzed, and her eyes were the only parts that could move. Had someone drugged her? Would she be like this forever?
Leila tried to fight, but her arms and legs wouldn’t respond. All she could do was watch as she was wheeled toward Gracelyn.
Gracelyn sat there, peering down at Leila with a calm expression, unsurprised by her plight.
Seeing Leila’s rebellious stare, Gracelyn laughed softly.
“Leila, didn’t you say you wished to stay with me forever? Or did you try to fool me?” Gracelyn’s once warm smile now appeared chilling and menacing to Leila.
Gracelyn waved her hand, and the servant promptly moved Leila’s wheelchair even closer to her.
Leila desperately yearned to resist, but with no strength, she could only watch as Gracelyn stretched out her hand to touch her face.
“Good girl,” Gracelyn’s voice was hypnotic.
“Stay with me. Remember how you used to follow my grandson, calling out to him eagerly? Now that he’s no longer with us, he watches over you and misses you dearly from heaven.”
Leila’s eyes widened in fear at these words.
Gracelyn laughed.
“There’s no need to be scared. I once held you when you were just a baby. You were always so polite and obedient. How could I ever let you die? I just want you to stay here, to help my grandson and me.”
Leila found Gracelyn’s words odd. What did Gracelyn mean by helping her and her grandson? Wasn’t her grandson already dead?
Leila sensed that Gracelyn’s mental state was unstable. She regretted not noticing anything amiss earlier but realized it was because Gracelyn had masked her instability so convincingly. Gracelyn had truly fooled her.
The main reason was that Leila’s heart always softened whenever Gracelyn reminisced about their past when their families were neighbors.
Although those childhood memories were distant, Leila still sometimes dreamed of those times. She had once enjoyed a life filled with familial affection, and the…
The companionship of dear friends had once been a cherished part of Leila’s life. But years had gone by, things had drastically changed, people had passed away, and circumstances had shifted.
Had it not been for these softened feelings, Leila, usually so cautious, would never have considered staying overnight or visiting Gracelyn more frequently. She thought she was being kind, but it had only brought her harm. Now, it was too late for regrets.
Leila tried to calm herself and devise an escape plan. She figured she must have been drugged but assumed the effects were temporary.
As if sensing Leila’s thoughts, Gracelyn smiled and said, “Wondering why you feel this way? Yes, I drugged you. It temporarily prevents you from moving or speaking. I had intended to keep you in this state permanently.”
Leila tensed upon hearing this.
Gracelyn then added, “However, I reconsidered. Having you here, unable to move or make a sound, would be boring. Besides, this drug isn’t without its side effects. Otherwise, my husband wouldn’t have been paralyzed.”
Leila was shocked. She had once asked about Gracelyn’s husband’s condition and the illness that had made him bedridden.
Gracelyn had always been reluctant to talk about it and had discouraged Leila from visiting, claiming it was too painful to discuss.
Gracelyn claimed her husband, once proud and dignified, could not endure being seen in his weakened state, as it would bruise his ego.
Because of Gracelyn’s words, Leila had refrained from visiting him. But the reality was starkly harsh. Gracelyn was the cause of her husband’s paralysis. Why would Gracelyn harm the man she had been married to for decades?