Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Ever since you left, the whole family, especially our grandpa, has missed you so much. Every time I look at this photo, I miss the lovely little girl you were. Oh, and look at this.”
Ewing added, extending a letter to Leila, “Your mom sent this to me long ago. She wrote it for you, but I never opened it. I think she wanted to leave you a message. I never imagined I’d be able to give it to you in person.”
Leila was taken aback. The familiar handwriting on the cover confirmed it was from her mother. But why had her mother sent Ewing a letter meant for her to read?
Leila carefully opened the envelope with a flutter of doubt and trembling hands. As she read the letter, tears welled up in her eyes.
It turned out Leila’s mother, Siena, had anticipated this day. She knew Leila would eventually find her way back to the Nixon family, which was why she had written this letter.
Siena’s letter urged Leila to outgrow the grudges of the past generation and embrace her family. Back when Siena distanced herself from the Nixon family, she certainly had a fair share of disappointment toward them. Part of her decision was made on impulse. After parting ways with her family, Siena felt a hint of regret for her decision, yet she never returned.
Regardless, Siena had foreseen that Leila would return to the Nixon family by the time she read this letter.
In the letter, Siena’s words were filled with love and concern, “Leila, I wish for you to lead a happy and carefree life forever. If you ever come back to the Nixon family, just stay there. I’m sure they miss both you and me. I hope your grandfather is healthy.
Please extend my apologies to him. It was all my fault. I was selfish when I decided to leave with you, failing to provide you with the best.
I’m not sure how to make amends. Ewing is a truly nice kid. If you stick with the Nixon family, he will definitely take good care of you and treat you as his own sister.”
After reading the letter, Leila was unable to hold back her tears. She never believed that her mother owed her anything. The depth of her mother’s love was evident in every line of the letter.
Ewing stood up and spoke gently, “Make the choice that feels right for you, Leila. Whether you stay or leave, I’ll support whatever you decide. Take your time. There’s no pressure, okay? I’ll head off to see how our grandpa’s doing.”
As Ewing headed for the door, Leila rose to her feet and quickly followed him. She asked him in sign language, “Ewing, if you can, could you find an expert to help me? I dislike having to communicate like this.”
Ewing couldn’t help but burst into laughter. It was unusual for him to show such a reaction.
Honestly, he was delighted that Leila could depend on him, not just as her cousin but as a source of support. It warmed his heart to know that Leila genuinely considered him family.
“Of course, I can help with that. However, you might need to return to Ferelden with us because I’ve got more contacts there.
Leila, I promise I’ll do whatever it takes to help you speak again, no matter the cost. Would you come to the hospital with me? We could visit our grandpa together.”
Leila nodded and smiled at Ewing.
A few days ago, Tyrone experienced another relapse. He failed to recognize anyone, including Leila. Moreover, he grew wary and barred anyone from getting close to him.
However, Leila seemed to be the only exception. Even though Tyrone didn’t remember Leila for the time being, he felt a natural sense of familiarity and warmth toward her.
Under Leila’s persuasion, Tyrone finally agreed to take his medication. As he clutched Leila’s hand, he leaned in and whispered, “Young lady, could you please ask these people to leave? It’s quite overwhelming to have so many in my room.”
Leila glanced at Ewing, who caught her eye and immediately understood. With a subtle gesture, Ewing signaled for the others to exit the room. Soon, the room cleared, leaving only Leila and Tyrone in the quiet.
Tyrone let out a sigh of relief and said honestly, “I can’t make sense of where all these folks came from, all addressing me with lofty titles. But you, young lady, you seem familiar.”
After a pause, he asked with a curious tilt of his head, “What is your name?”
Leila signed with a soft smile. Her gestures practically said, “My name is Leila.”
“Leila,” Tyrone echoed her name thoughtfully, as if trying to place where he had heard it before.
Suddenly Tyrone’s gaze snapped up. “How is it that I can understand your sign language? Am I really able to sign?” he questioned, confusion etching his features.
Leila nodded gently. To ease his bewilderment, she gestured to explain that they used to be friends, and he learned sign language to communicate with her.
She reassured him it was fine if he failed to remember anything for the time being, certain that he would reclaim his memories in no time.
“Friends?” Tyrone repeated, a hint of recognition flickering in his eyes.
Leila chose her words carefully, knowing that the full truth might be overwhelming for him during his disoriented moments. Tyrone sometimes believed he was someone else, and during these episodes, convincing him of reality proved futile. Agitation could lead to unpredictable outcomes, so maintaining his calm was crucial.
With a cautious hand, Leila reached into her bag and pulled out a photograph, offering it to him. She asked whether he remembered the woman in the photo..
Tyrone’s eyes filled with tears as he took the photo, recognition dawning. “Of course, I do. This is my daughter. She was upset and ran away. I came here to look for her,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Tyrone pointed at the little girl in the photo, adding, “And this little girl she’s holding is my granddaughter. She looks just like her mom did at that age, so adorable.”
A sad smile touched his lips as he continued, “I don’t know where my daughter and granddaughter are now. It’s my fault. I made my daughter angry. She probably never wants to see me again.”
Leila’s heart ached for Tyrone, nearly overwhelmed by the urge to cry, but she steadied herself and offered him comfort. Aiming for a soothing and reassuring response, she gestured that his daughter missed him terribly and held no resentment. She added that she knew where his daughter was.
Hope lit up Tyrone’s eyes as he intently looked at Leila. “You’re not playing tricks on me, are you?”
With a firm shake of her head, Leila gestured that she genuinely knew where his daughter and granddaughter were and could offer to take him to them should he trust her and follow her lead.
To her astonishment, Tyrone agreed without hesitation. “I trust you. Somehow, I feel compelled to believe what you say,” he said. “You mentioned we’re friends, and true friends don’t betray one another.”
A warm smile crossed Leila’s face as she looked at Tyrone, who trusted her fully.
Over the years, Tyrone’s prolonged longing for Siena visibly weighed on him. Leila pondered whether Siena, his estranged daughter and her mother, ever regretted leaving the Nixon family, if she were still alive to reflect.
Having comforted Tyrone, Leila recalled Bria was also in the hospital.
Hearing of Bria’s significant health improvement, no longer needing a ventilator, Leila decided to visit her. Having reached the doorway of Bria’s ward, Leila was met with Bria throwing a fit.
Bria, caught in a tempest of rage, had just slapped Noemi and then hurled a bowl of soup over her head, her gaze filled with fierce loathing. “Why are you flinching? Didn’t you promise to always obey me?”
Bria’s voice was sharp and accusing. “Are you saying you lied to me?”
Noemi, wincing from the sting of the earlier assault, was too frightened to voice her pain. “I’m willing to endure whatever makes you happy,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. “I truly wish to serve you for life.”
Bria’s anger only intensified. “Get out!” she snapped.
As Noemi hurried out of the room, she almost collided with Leila. Noemi quickly averted her gaze, but not before Leila noticed the flash of resentment in her eyes.
It was clear that Bria had been harsh with Noemi lately. Given Bria’s recent near-death experience at the hands of her own brother and trusted servant, the fact that Noemi was still alive was perhaps a testament to some remaining restraint in Bria.
Leila glanced at Noemi for a brief moment before shifting her focus.
Bria’s eyes were a chilling mix of fury and ice.
“Noemi, you fool! You almost ran into Leila,” she chided sharply. “Apologize now! She’s someone now, unlike you, an insignificant nobody. Don’t you know my grandpa and my cousin hold her in high regard? Offending her could have serious consequences for you.”
Frantic, Noemi shook her head, stammering, “No, no, I didn’t mean to…”
“Then why haven’t you apologized yet?” Bria interjected with a sneer.
With several onlookers present in and around the room, Noemi, feeling the weight of their gazes, bowed before Leila with a deep sense of humiliation. “I’m sorry, Miss. It won’t happen again. Please forgive me.”
Noemi knelt down, her knees thudding against the floor with a heavy sound.
Leila, taken aback by Noemi’s action of kneeling, quickly gestured to a nearby bodyguard, who stepped forward and helped Noemi to her feet. “Don’t trouble them further,” the bodyguard said, his tone firm.
Once Noemi had exited, Leila walked into Bria’s ward. Bria’s eyes followed Leila’s every step, finally settling on her face with a sneer that barely concealed her scorn.
“It’s been a while, Leila, and here you are, pretending to be quite the lady,” Bria remarked with a sneer. “Did Ewing fill your head with tales of being a true Nixon? Don’t be so naive. He’s merely using you to manipulate my grandpa. Others might be blind, but I see right through you. You’re nothing but an imposter.”
Leila shook her head in exasperation. Her fingers swiftly danced on the screen as she typed down her message, which was articulated with the text-to-speech function.
“I used to think you had some sense. Now it’s clear you’re just obstinate. You just can’t accept that your brother aimed for your life, and that had it not been for your luck, you wouldn’t have escaped death.
Have you ever thought that if Klein succeeded in sending me to prison, accusing me of pushing you into the water, you’d bear the brunt of his anger by the time he caught wind of this incident and got livid?”
Bria paused, processing Leila’s words, recognizing the truth in them. It was no secret that her relationship with Leila was fraught and that Tyrone had often cautioned her over this. Her demeanor at home lacked the charm Klein effortlessly displayed.