Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“You’re familiar with Leila, aren’t you? She may seem like a fragile, innocent mute, but she’s filled with schemes. Even though she was raised among the Kensington, she doesn’t quite match up. Compared to you, the difference is night and day. She doesn’t come close.”
Caught off guard by Sarah’s candidness, Joanna’s expression shifted to one of mild surprise. “You’re familiar with Leila?”
“Of course,” Sarah responded, her interest clearly piqued as she gestured for Joanna to sit closer.
Sarah dove into recounting Leila’s supposed manipulations, not omitting any details. “I’m aware of her past involvement with your husband. He’s a true gentleman, but Leila cleverly uses her connection to your sister-in-law to approach him. And it’s not just your husband. She’s also entangled with Brent from the Hayes family. Somehow, she has him completely charmed as well. She seems to juggle multiple men with ease. It’s baffling what sort of allure she possesses to attract them like this.”
As Sarah unfolded these narratives, Joanna’s expression grew increasingly grim. “I haven’t been in this city long and don’t know much about Leila. I just knew that she once had ties to my husband’s family. Without your insight, I would have remained oblivious. I had no idea she was so adept.”
Seeing Joanna’s troubled look, Sarah took her hand, offering a gesture of sympathy and concern. “It really irks me to see someone of your caliber being manipulated by Leila. I know you’re not one to stand for such things. What do you say we team up against her? I have no ulterior motives. I simply want her to learn her place. After tonight’s party, why don’t you come by my house so we can discuss this further?”
Sarah’s eyes gleamed with a calculative spark. She was already envisioning how she could leverage Joanna’s influence to decisively undermine Leila, delighting in the prospect of seeing Leila permanently diminished.
“Unfortunately, I already have engagements this evening and won’t be able to join you,” Joanna replied, her polite yet firm refusal catching Sarah by surprise and disrupting her calculated plans.
Sarah, undeterred by Joanna’s refusal, continued, “It’s no biggie. If tonight doesn’t work, we can find another time. Let’s exchange contact information and plan to meet later.”
However, Joanna made no move to retrieve her phone. Instead, she offered Sarah a faint, distant smile and calmly adjusted her hair, embodying the poise that defined her.
“While I’ve enjoyed our conversation, you must understand my position. I can’t just form alliances casually. Besides, if you’re married into the Brooks family and looking to leverage my connection to the Martel family for your own ends, I’m afraid you’ve got the wrong person,” Joanna stated, her voice firm yet polite, her rejection leaving no room for misunderstanding.
Sarah managed to maintain her smile, though it was tight and strained, barely concealing the surge of frustration and anger brewing within her. Sarah was baffled by Joanna’s aloof demeanor and felt a pang of frustration at being dismissed so curtly. She envisioned that Joanna would come to regret what she had passed up on.
Refusing to let the conversation end there, Sarah spoke again, her voice laced with caution yet firm in her intent. “I think you might be misunderstanding my intentions. I’m not trying to ingratiate myself with the Martel family. We both stand to gain from dealing with a common adversary. I’m aware of Leila’s vulnerabilities, ones I can’t exploit alone, but you could easily capitalize on them. Isn’t it frustrating, knowing your husband might still harbor feelings for Leila? Especially after you married Ethan, believing it was love at first sight?”
“That’s enough!” Joanna’s patience snapped. She stood up abruptly, her eyes flashing with anger. “This conversation is inappropriate. We do not share a common enemy. This is a personal matter for you, not for me. I will not be part of your schemes, Miss Miller. I have other, more important things to handle. I hope you appreciate the gift I brought, though.”
As Joanna turned and walked away, her departure crisp and resolute, Sarah felt her composure slipping. The cold finality of Joanna’s words almost pushed her to lose her temper. A servant noticed Sarah’s rising anger and quickly intervened, whispering a reminder that many eyes were upon them and that their primary objective today was to collaborate with Boris to undermine Leila.
With this reminder, Sarah managed to regain her composure, her gaze cutting toward Joanna’s retreating figure as she muttered, “She’ll regret this.”
Leila, observing from a distance, didn’t know the specifics of their conversation, but the sight of Joanna’s unwavering exit and Sarah’s darkened face confirmed her suspicions. Deciding to act, Leila discreetly excused herself to the others, citing the need for a short break rather than her true intent to speak with Joanna.
Leila quickly followed after Joanna, managing to catch up after a brisk pursuit. Communicating was challenging for Leila, given her inability to speak, which made the task of catching Joanna’s attention all the more tricky. Leila had no choice but to dash ahead and intercept Joanna, positioning herself squarely in her path to ensure Joanna stopped.
Joanna’s day had already taken a sour turn, and her mood hadn’t improved by the unexpected encounter. Seeing Leila, Joanna’s face contorted with irritation, her eyebrows furrowed deeply and her eyes flashing clear disgust.
“What is it that you want? I have urgent matters. If you’re here to waste my time about Ethan, please get out of my way. There is nothing to discuss between us. Besides, I won’t be fooled by your tactics,” Joanna snapped, her tone biting and filled with hostility. Even Joanna’s servants, who stood by from a respectful distance, now eyed Leila with suspicion.
Undeterred, Leila shook her head in response, quickly pulling out her phone to type a message in a bid to cut through the hostility. She held the screen up for Joanna to read, “I need to talk to you about Ethan. Please, just give me five minutes. That’s all I ask.”
Joanna crossed her arms, her smile sharp and cold. “I hope you have something worthwhile to say. I’m not known for my patience, and I have quite a temper. Remember, you approached me, so if I react poorly out of frustration, the blame is yours.”
Leila nodded, understanding the warning. She took a deep breath to compose herself and began typing on her phone. With calm and straightforward honesty, she laid out the history, not shying away from mentioning Ethan’s past feelings for her. Leila’s expression was controlled, devoid of either pride or shame, treating the recount as nothing more than a series of complicated events.
This forthrightness caught Joanna off guard, prompting her to reassess Leila. Leila continued to type more.
Leila believed she had nothing to conceal. Everything belonged to the past. She harbored no affection for Ethan and wished Joanna would trust her husband. Ethan couldn’t leave Joanna right away, but he might be trying.
Love couldn’t be forced. Even without Leila in the picture, Ethan’s feelings for Joanna might never deepen, and he could possibly fall for someone else.
Joanna found it hard to immediately counter Leila’s assertions. With a forced smile tinged with resentment, she retorted, “So, you’re implying my husband still cares for you, and I should just forgive you both?”
Leila shook her head, typing her response. “What I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t be trapped in a relationship without a future. Ethan needs to realize this, and so do you.”
Joanna’s gaze shifted. “Is that everything you wanted to say?” she asked sharply.
Leila nodded and gently rested a hand on her stomach, smiling faintly. She resumed typing. “I probably shouldn’t be saying this, and you might think I’m interfering, but I’m pregnant and could be seen as a threat to your relationship with Ethan. If you and Ethan are truly meant to be, I genuinely hope you find happiness together.”
Joanna pressed her lips tightly, her tone icy. “Time’s up. I’m leaving.”
Leila gave a nod and moved aside. She wasn’t sure if her words had made an impact on Joanna, but she had spoken her piece. Now, it was Joanna’s choice to believe her or not.
Exiting the hotel, Joanna scanned her surroundings. “He still hasn’t come?” she asked.
Joanna had texted Ethan when she decided to leave, half-hoping to provoke a reaction.
Joanna was aware that her departure might seem abrupt, yet she was curious about how Ethan would respond. Ideally, he would have come out to inquire why she suddenly decided to leave. Maybe they would have even argued, a sign that he cared.
But Ethan showed no response, indifferent to whether she stayed or not. They might as well have been strangers.
Despite anticipating this, a sharp sting of hurt still took Joanna by surprise. She clenched her fists tightly.
Her servant leaned in and whispered, “Madam, should we call him and say you’re unwell?”
Joanna straightened up, her voice frosty. “What’s the point? I refuse to coerce him into loving me.”
The servant offered a gentle suggestion. “Madam, maybe you should speak with him. It’s better to express your feelings than to keep them suppressed.”
Joanna shot her a chilly glance. “So, Leila’s words have convinced you?”
The servant shook her head quickly. “No, it’s not like that. I know you have issues with her, but she did raise some good points. Dwelling on the past only causes you more pain.”
Joanna bit her lip, struggling to muster her thoughts. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily. “Yes, she made some valid points. She seems level-headed, but I’ve encountered all types of people. Haven’t you heard the rumors about her? Maybe she’s merely a skilled actress.
Regardless, I’ll always be wary of her. Call the driver to pick me up. You stay here and watch Ethan. If he approaches Leila, inform me at once.”
“Alright.” The servant nodded.
As Leila made her way back, she collided with a drunk man. She stumbled and nearly fell.
The man hit the ground with a moan.
Startled, Leila quickly moved forward to help him to his feet and typed on her phone, “Are you okay?”
The man, a middle-aged fellow, scrutinized her. “I was walking just fine until you ran into me. Now you’re asking if I’m okay? You must be kidding!”
Leila’s brow furrowed at his hostile tone. It was he who had bumped into her, and she had merely been courteous.
Deciding not to waste her time arguing with this man, Leila stepped back, giving up the idea of trying to help him up, and turned around, her expression stern. She was ready to leave.
“Stop right there!” he bellowed, struggling to rise from the ground.
Just then, a woman, cradling a child, hurried over. She helped the man to his feet and positioned herself in front of him. “Honey, you’ve had too much to drink. Let’s go home now. Please don’t cause a scene,” she pleaded softly.
The woman cast an apologetic glance over her shoulder at Leila, who responded with a sympathetic nod.
However, the man’s anger flared. He raised his hand and struck the woman sharply across the face. “Who are you to order me around? Get lost!” he barked.
The child in the woman’s arms burst into tears at this sudden attack.
Unable to tolerate the man any longer, Leila stepped in and positioned herself protectively in front of the woman and her child. She typed to warn him sternly. “This is a celebration. I don’t know who you think you are, but this isn’t the place to make enemies.
Lay a hand on her again, and I’ll have you thrown out.”
The man scoffed derisively. “Oh? Call them then. I’m right here.”
Leila quickly typed a message to summon security, but as she was about to send it, the man knocked the device from her grip.
The man approached Leila with a threatening sneer.
The woman, still holding her child, stood frozen behind Leila, her eyes wide with fear. It was clear she had suffered his wrath more times than she could count.
Leila’s determination to protect the woman and her child only intensified as she stood her ground, her expression unyielding.