Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
With her nerves somewhat settled, Leila began to reflect on Landon’s real reason for coming. He hadn’t acknowledged her directly nor taken her away immediately. Instead, he acted as if they were strangers meeting for the first time. It dawned on her that he must know of her predicament and had likely come to rescue her.
This realization saddened Leila. How could Landon be so reckless? If Gracelyn ever discovered his true identity, not only would he be trapped, but it might also cost him his life.
While Gracelyn and Landon seemed to be getting along well, Landon’s true identity hung like a sword over the situation. Leila knew she had to make him leave.
As they were about to eat, Leila abruptly lost her composure.
“Gracelyn, I don’t want to eat,” she said, smashing the bowl in front of her. Such outbursts were uncommon for Leila.
Gracelyn, startled, quickly asked, “What’s the matter? Are you feeling unwell?”
Leila nodded and gestured toward Landon.
“I don’t like him. He makes me uncomfortable.”
Gracelyn looked over at Landon, noticing his tense expression. She frowned.
“You’re being impolite. He’s our guest. Why would you say that?” But Leila only grew more distressed and began to throw things.
“I don’t want to see him! I just don’t!” she exclaimed, her agitation mounting.
Leila’s frantic behavior alarmed everyone in the room.
Landon clenched his fists, clearly angry.
With no choice, Gracelyn instructed the servants to wheel Leila back to her room for some rest.
Gracelyn then turned to Landon apologetically.
“Mr. Collins, please don’t take it personally. Leila has been quite irritable since her leg injury. This is the first time she’s reacted this way. Have you two met before?”
Landon shook his head.
“I don’t recall ever meeting her. Perhaps it was my earlier comment. I made a light-hearted remark about her needing help to drink water.”
Gracelyn nodded, piecing things together. Leila was extremely sensitive at the moment, and even the smallest provocation could upset her. Leila had previously mentioned that the servants seemed inattentive. It appeared that her outburst might have been sparked by Landon’s offhand comment.
Gracelyn’s face softened as she said, “Mr. Collins, as you can tell, this isn’t exactly a fun place. It’s remote and quite lonely. If you want to repay me, you don’t have to stay. You young folks prefer vibrant environments, something which I don’t.”
Landon responded with a gentle smile.
“Mrs. White, that’s not the case. Since I’m here to repay you, I need to show you my sincerity. I don’t have much money to offer, but what I can do is take care of you. Please, think of me as your grandson.”
Gazing at Landon, Gracelyn was dazed. She couldn’t help but imagine that if her grandson were still alive, he might be Landon’s age. Landon’s presence brought back memories of her grandson.
Gracelyn had no doubts about Landon’s intentions. In fact, she longed for more company, for others to fill her days with life and warmth. So, Gracelyn smiled.
“Alright, if you really want to stay, I’ll have you here.”
Landon pretended to be thrilled, nodding vigorously.
But out of Gracelyn’s sight, his expression quickly turned cold. What had these people done to Leila? Why was she now bound to a wheelchair?
Leila returned to her room, still unable to calm down. She threw a tantrum deliberately and sent all the servants out of the room.
Thinking back to when she had just seen Landon, Leila felt it was unreal. Her unease stemmed from his presence in the White family’s residence. Did he come to rescue her?
While she desperately wanted to be rescued from this hell, she didn’t want Landon to involve himself in the situation, a move that might put him in danger if Gracelyn grew suspicious and acted against him.
What was he thinking?
Now, concerns consumed Leila.
At that moment, a servant’s voice came from outside the door.
“Miss Nixon, Dr. Watson is here to see you.”
Upon hearing this, Leila’s face fell. Already in a foul mood, she now had to deal with Calvert, that perverted middle-aged man. She had no patience to play along with him.
With a scowl, Leila snapped, “Tell him I need to rest and ask him to leave.”
After some time, the servant came back with a reply.
“Dr. Watson insists on checking your health as Mrs. White demanded. He won’t leave.”
Leila was infuriated. Yet, since it was Gracelyn’s request, she couldn’t refuse and reluctantly allowed the servant to bring Calvert in. Once Calvert was allowed in, only he and Leila were the sole occupants in the room.
Calvert eagerly approached, took Leila’s hand, and crouched before her. His face was marked by worry as he said, “Leila, I was told you’re upset today. I rushed over as soon as I heard.”
“Have you forgotten what I told you last time?” Leila mustered a smile while gently pulling her hand away from Calvert’s.
Calvert quickly shook his head.
“No, I remember. But today’s visit is under Mrs. White’s orders. About your legs…” He paused, leaving his sentence hanging. His gaze was heavy with unspoken words.
Leila’s intuition tingled with dread. She asked, “Didn’t you assure me I wouldn’t need those medicines anymore? That my legs would heal over time? I’m just starting to regain some sensation. Are you trying to leave me paralyzed for life?”
As she spoke, tears began to form in her eyes, showing her genuine distress. This wasn’t an act. She truly felt aggrieved. She had finally regained her ability to walk around again, but taking the drugs could reverse the progress, leaving her legs unresponsive once more. Even if she recovered quickly later on, the frequent use of such drugs would cause lasting damage to her body. Moreover, she desperately wanted to leave. Any further delay could lead to bigger issues for her.
Calvert appeared cornered.
“Leila, I don’t wish you harm, but I must follow Mrs. White’s orders. Also, it’s not all bad. You can take the time to get some rest. You’re now part of the White family. You have people at your beck and call, and everything you need is provided-clothing, food. Isn’t this a life many desire?”
Leila could barely hide her disdain and nearly scoffed at Calvert’s attempt to justify the situation. So, just for his sake, she was to accept potential lifelong paralysis?
Calvert leaned closer to Leila and muttered, “Honestly, I don’t want you to be permanently paralyzed. We’re supposed to be together in the future. If you can’t move, how will you serve as my wife?”
Leila held back her disgust, and her eyes sparkled with a cunning plan.
“Then you pretend to feed me the drug but don’t actually do it. You’re the only person here I can trust. I can’t keep living this way.” She gazed at Calvert with tears in her eyes, her expression a calculated attempt to garner his sympathy.
Calvert’s heart seemed to soften, but Leila had underestimated the depth of his shamelessness.
Calvert chuckled.
“Okay, I’ll do as you say. But you must give me something in return. We’ve confirmed our feelings for each other for quite some time, yet I haven’t even kissed you. It leaves me feeling…” He trailed off, continuing to stroke Leila’s hand gently. As he did so, a lustful glint occasionally flickered in his eyes.
Leila struggled to maintain her smile. She felt the urge to slap Calvert hard. He never ceased attempting to take advantage of her. If he weren’t still of some use, she would have already reported him to Gracelyn.
Noticing Leila’s strained smile, clearly forced, Calvert’s expression grew cold.
“I knew it. You’re beautiful and rich. Why would someone like you ever be interested in me? So, all that compliance before was just a show, wasn’t it?”
Before Leila could reply, Calvert withdrew his hand and rose to his feet. His gaze was now not just cold but distinctly menacing.
“It’s fine. I won’t force you if you don’t have feelings for me and refuse to be intimate with me. However, you must take these drugs. After all, if we’re not together and I gain nothing from you, why should I take risks for you?”
His words were a clear threat. Leila was so infuriated that she nearly clenched her teeth to pieces. She took a deep breath to suppress her rising anger and revulsion. She managed a somewhat pleasant smile.
“You know, that was not what I meant. But since you’re convinced of your misinterpretation, there’s little I can do. Given your mistrust, we have nothing further to discuss. Please, leave.”
She then turned away and sighed, as if deeply saddened.
Seeing her apparent distress, Calvert’s demeanor softened. He quickly crouched in front of her again.