Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
No one was aware of the chaos swirling in Leila’s mind. She was trying to figure out the best course of action. How could she possibly thwart the prospect of meeting Landon under these circumstances? If Landon came, he would instantly recognize her, and his likely shock-no matter how fleeting-would be noticed by the suspicious Gracelyn. It wouldn’t take long before Gracelyn pieced together the truth that Landon had lied about hailing from some Collins family. By then, neither Leila nor Landon would be able to escape this cursed place.
With a sense of helplessness and frustration, Leila gritted her teeth, hoping Gracelyn would reject Florrie’s idea. But her hopes were dashed. Gracelyn agreed, smiling and complimenting Florrie on her cleverness.
“I think you’re right. Let’s invite Mr. Collins over.”
Hearing this, Leila felt an overwhelming sense of doom, as though her heart was bound to a heavy stone, sinking into the depths of an endless ocean. Despair enveloped her. She then took a deep breath.
Florrie noticed this detail, and her demeanor changed instantly, like a hawk spotting its prey. Her eyes sparkled as she moved closer to Leila, pretending to be worried.
“Miss Nixon, what’s wrong? You look troubled. Is it because you don’t want to see Mr. Collins?”
Before Leila could respond, Gracelyn cut in, “Oh, come on. Leila and Mr. Collins haven’t even met. Why would she be bothered?”
Despite her words, Gracelyn’s intense stare stayed fixed on Leila. Taking a deep breath, Leila shook her head and replied coldly, “You’re reading too much into it. I just don’t feel well and need some rest.”
Florrie wasn’t going to let Leila off the hook.
“What’s wrong with you? Should I call Calvert to check on you?”
Leila knew Florrie saw this as an opportunity to test her and complicate things further.
Leila decided not to play nice. Her previously furrowed brows relaxed. She looked up and gave Florrie a dazzling smile.
“Calvert? That sounds perfect. Let him come and examine me. I was quite impressed with his expertise last time. I actually look forward to seeing him again.”
This unexpected response rattled Florrie. She struggled to keep her expression neutral, but her face twisted into something unappealing. She stared at Leila’s confident smirk, feeling a burning urge to strangle her. But she couldn’t act on it. Not only was she unable to express her anger, but her own foolishness was about to cost her dearly.
Gracelyn chimed in supportively, “Florrie, since Leila is feeling unwell, we should have your husband check on her. Leila rarely trusts anyone like this. If he proves capable of improving Leila’s condition, perhaps he should spend more time with her moving forward.”
Florrie felt a surge of anxiety but found herself unable to respond. Throwing a fit or resisting would only raise Gracelyn’s suspicions, and Leila would then seize the opportunity to expose her previous cruelty. Florrie was convinced Leila was trying to seduce her husband, despite her innocent facade.
Overcome with rage but resigned, Florrie clenched her fists so tightly that her palms bled. She then released her grip and managed to say, through gritted teeth, “Fine, I’ll call Calvert for you.”
Leila watched Florrie with a slight, mocking smile, her eyes glinting with disdain.
As Florrie approached the door, she paused, feigning sudden realization.
“Oh, Mrs. White, my memory is terrible. Calvert has several surgeries at the hospital today and really won’t be able to make it.”
Gracelyn’s face hardened immediately, though she didn’t speak or lose her temper. Her expression was intimidating.
Florrie, frightened but determined, suggested, “How about this? Once Calvert wraps up his work, I’ll have him come over.”
Leila’s acting skills kicked in, and she let out a sigh, appearing too unwell to eat.
“Gracelyn, I really don’t feel well. I need to go back and rest.”
Gracelyn’s tone grew angry, as if giving Florrie a final ultimatum.
“If you can’t get Calvert here today, consider yourself fired.”
Florrie’s legs trembled, nearly buckling under her. She looked at Gracelyn with pleading eyes.
“Mrs. White, I swear I’m not lying. He truly can’t leave the hospital today. It wasn’t planned.”
Despite her fear of losing her job, Florrie was desperate not to lose her husband.
Having feigned discomfort for a while and sensing the right moment, Leila decided to take control of the situation.
“Forget it, Gracelyn. I’ll just go back to my room and rest.”
“For a while, I was only kidding earlier. Calvert looks quite old, and honestly, just the sight of him makes me uncomfortable. I was going to suggest we find another doctor. I don’t really think Calvert is a good person anyway.”
Florrie, itching to defend her husband, bit her tongue instead, cautious of Leila’s earlier expression. Who knew what schemes might be brewing in this cunning woman’s mind? It seemed wise not to provoke Leila.
Sure enough, Gracelyn’s reaction softened, and she smiled at Leila.
“You’re just like when you were little, always picky about doctors. You’d rather stay ill than see one you don’t like. Well, you don’t seem too unwell. It’s probably just a side effect of the medication. Go back to your room and rest.”
Leila nodded with a smile, though she found Gracelyn’s words intriguing. The trait Gracelyn had described actually belonged to her grandson. It appeared Gracelyn was imagining Leila as her grandson, trying to fill the void in her heart.
Leila felt there was more to this than met the eye.
As Leila was wheeled away, Florrie finally breathed a sigh of relief. She flashed a cautious smile and moved carefully toward Gracelyn.
“Mrs. White, it’s rather quiet now, isn’t it? I’ll get Mr. Collins immediately.”
Gracelyn’s demeanor toward Florrie had grown noticeably cold. Her response was icy.
“What’s the point? You’ve ruined my appetite. Get out of here!”
Florrie, alarmed by Gracelyn’s reaction, quickly tried to appease her with sweet words, even whispering promises in her ear.
Gracelyn’s expression gradually softened. She looked at Florrie with a hint of skepticism.
“Really? Is it that incredible?”
Florrie nodded confidently.
“Mrs. White, after all these years by your side, I understand the repercussions of lying to you.”
This seemed to reassure Gracelyn, and she smiled contentedly.
“It appears you’re still of some use. You may stay for the time being.”
“Thank you,” Florrie responded with a forced smile.
Once Florrie left the dining room, the smile on her face disappeared immediately. Under her breath, she hissed with clenched teeth, “Gracelyn, you old witch! Just you wait. One day, I’ll-“
Florrie let her sentence hang in the air as her eyes darted around the opulent decor and the expensive antique furnishings. Her gaze gleamed with greed.
Shortly after, Florrie had someone invite Landon over.
Truthfully, Landon was hesitant to accept the invitation. He preferred to avoid any interaction with Gracelyn to minimize the chances of his real identity being exposed. Nevertheless, turning down the invitation would be impolite. Continually saying no might lead to unwanted suspicions.
With this consideration, Landon felt compelled to go. With Byron’s help, he made his way to the dining area.
Leila had just left. With her appetite gone, Gracelyn’s demeanor was much cooler. When Landon walked over, she merely acknowledged him with a slight nod.
Landon, oblivious to the earlier events, only felt the tension hanging in the air of the dining room. He pondered deeply but kept his thoughts to himself.
Stopping before the desk, Landon politely nodded at Gracelyn.
“I’ve been meaning to personally thank you, but my mobility issues have made it difficult. Now that we’re here together, I really want to show my appreciation. I’ll definitely remember your kindness once I’m back on my feet.”
Landon’s words were well-crafted. After all, Gracelyn had indeed taken him in after he fell from the cliff and helped him recuperate, which was a true act of kindness.
Gracelyn glanced at Landon, her countenance softening considerably.
“Have a seat,” she said.
Landon then sat down opposite her.
“Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”