Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“I’ve met many young people eager to win my favor, hoping to gain something in return. I have always made it clear that no one should offer me expensive gifts. It’s too close to bribery for my taste.
“You are here to celebrate my birthday, and your good wishes and sincerity are more than enough. I approached you, aiming to give the painting back to you. If the painting is genuine, it must cost a great deal of money. However, it appears I might have misjudged you.”
Everyone could tell that Charlee meant something else. Yet, Melinda was visibly thrilled, clearly having taken Charlee’s words at face value. With a quick shake of her head, she said, “Oh, Mrs. Martel, please don’t think so. My gift to you wasn’t meant to imply anything beyond a gesture of respect. You remind me so much of my own mother. Please, don’t feel obligated. Think of me as someone younger, like a daughter, perhaps.”
The onlookers exchanged mocking glances and inwardly scoffed. Was Melinda really asking Charlee to see her as a daughter? More like Melinda wanted to secure a place as Charlee’s goddaughter, flattering herself into the family.
Standing nearby, Charlee’s daughter, Joanna, frowned, and her expression clouded over at once.
Leila, with a hint of sarcasm, chimed in, “Did you even consider asking Miss Martel how she feels about suddenly having another ‘sister’?”
Melinda’s smile stiffened before morphing into a look of self-pity.
“Leila, I’m not sure how I’ve upset you. Your daughter framed mine for theft, and now this accusation? It seems you’re just envious of the bond I share with Mrs. Martel, resentful that I understand her needs better than you.”
Melinda then faced Charlee with feigned concern for Leila, remarking, “Charlee, please don’t hold it against Leila. That’s just how she’s always been. Back when she was part of the Kensington family, she depended heavily on Roderick and developed a bit of an ego. I don’t believe she meant any harm. Please accept my apologies for her daughter taking Evelyn’s belongings.” Melinda’s tone was unnervingly sweet.
Leila noticed Charlee’s expression growing increasingly stern, and she nearly let out a chuckle..
It became clear to Charlee that Melinda was missing the point entirely. Losing her patience, she withdrew her hand abruptly.
“Let her out!” Charlee commanded.
At this, Melinda lifted her chin defiantly, her eyes glinting with scorn as she looked at Leila. However, she hadn’t anticipated the bodyguards actually stepping forward to escort her out.
Melinda’s confidence vanished as she stammered in confusion, “Mrs… Charlee, what are you doing? Is there some misunderstanding? Wasn’t my gift to your liking? That can’t be right, I invested a great deal in it!”
Charlee’s demeanor remained stern, causing Melinda to rethink the situation with her naive understanding.
Melinda shouted at Charlee, “You can’t do this to me! I spent a fortune on the gift I gave you. You accepted it, and now you turn against me?”
In truth, Melinda felt a twinge of regret as soon as she said it, but she felt she had no other option.
Confusion clouded Melinda’s thoughts. She couldn’t fathom what had upset Charlee. The idea of reclaiming the painting crossed her mind-selling it someday could bring in some money.
Now, Melinda found herself financially dependent on Stan. Any excessive spending meant writing an IOU. Melinda once hoped for a better life after outcasting Landon, but her current situation was far grimmer than her past.
Charlee, trembling with rage, pointed at Melinda and stuttered, “You… You…” She struggled for breath, overwhelmed by Melinda’s shamelessness.
Joanna, seeing her mother’s distress, quickly steadied her and snapped, “Get her out of here, now! And give her painting back.”
Melinda was harshly dragged out before everyone. Now that the scene was over, Leila decided to bring an upset Sophie home for a good rest. Leila bid Charlee farewell.
Unexpectedly, Charlee pulled her aside.
“Good girl,” Charlee began, smiling warmly. “Are you surprised I invited you here? After all, you had no prior ties to the Martel family. Actually, it was all for my daughter.”
Leila, puzzled, asked, “Mrs. Martel, what do you mean by that?”
Charlee sighed, seeming to struggle with her words before she continued with a gentle smile. “Never mind. My sister was rather rude today. Please accept my apology on her behalf. I hope you aren’t too upset.”
Leila signaled her understanding. Evelyn had indeed been quite harsh. Yet, Leila understood that the real issue lay with Melinda and Zuri.
Switching topics, Leila smiled and said, “Mrs. Martel, I hope you enjoyed the birthday present I chose for you.”
Charlee nodded with satisfaction. “I did. Yours was my favorite gift.”
Leila’s present wasn’t extravagant. She had carved a crane symbolizing longevity-a piece both delicate and significant, yet not costly.
Liza once thought the present could seem a bit shabby. Yet, Leila knew better. Charlee, far from an ordinary woman, required a unique approach to deal with. Charlee had dedicated herself to her role, and all she required in return was sincerity.
Leila had no intention of deliberately fostering a connection with Charlee.
Right after Leila left the venue, her path was blocked. Melinda stood there, her eyes red and swollen, her hair disheveled.
Leila recalled that Stan had left much earlier. He hadn’t taken Melinda with him, and after some thought, Leila pieced together the reason: he believed Melinda had brought him embarrassment. Thus, he left Melinda and Zuri behind.
“Leila!” Through clenched teeth, Melinda confronted Leila. “Only with Stan’s reminder did I realize something was amiss. Is there a problem with the painting you gave me? Why are you so cruel? I trusted you so much, yet you treated me this way?”
Leila set Sophie down and gestured toward the poor Sophie, still in tears. “You’ve harmed my daughter to this extent. Even though I set you up, you deserve it.”
Melinda glanced away, a flicker of guilt in her expression, yet righteously criticized Sophie. “She’s clearly a thief. You know how virtuous Zuri is. Why would Zuri steal? Are others’ kids so vicious in your heart? Do you see evil in everyone just because you harbor it yourself?”
Leila refused to engage in further pointless conversations with Melinda. Holding Sophie’s hand tightly, she said tenderly, “Let’s head home, Sophie.”
Melinda’s voice grew louder, her desperation clear. “You haven’t answered my question yet, Leila! Are you feeling guilty? You’re just jealous of me, aren’t you? That’s why you sabotaged my friendship with Charlee! What kind of games have you been playing?”
Melinda was at her breaking point, feeling this was the final attempt to alter her fate.
Leila paused, turned back to face Melinda, and offered a chilling smile. “You’re right, I have been playing games. And you’re incredibly naive to think I’d just give you something as valuable as that painting for free.”
Melinda faltered, confused, “You owe the Kensington family a lot. Whenever I wanted something nice in the past, you’d simply hand it over because you had plenty. Wasn’t it only natural for you to gift me a painting for nothing?”
Leila’s sneer grew. “Exactly, you always thought I was easy to push around, expecting me to hand over whatever you demanded. You’re in this mess because you took that for granted. Do you know, the painting I gave you is a fake? If you weren’t so gullible, maybe things wouldn’t have turned out this way.”
Even if the painting was genuine, Charlee would never accept such a valuable gift. Had Melinda been a bit wiser, she wouldn’t have foolishly offered Charlee what Leila had given her for free.
Leila hadn’t gone too far; the genuine painting was still listed at the auction house. It was just that Melinda was both arrogant and foolish. She had it coming.
Upon hearing the truth, Melinda broke down. She let out a scream of fury and then lunged at Leila, intent on strangling her. But before Melinda could reach Leila, the bodyguards intervened.
With no other options, Melinda could only shoot Leila a venomous glare.
As Leila nonchalantly approached her car, a familiar voice halted her. “Leila!”
Leila turned to see Ethan hurrying toward her.
Leila paused for a moment and decided to greet him in a polite but distant tone, “Mr. Brooks, nice to meet you.”.
With a mix of emotions in his eyes and a slight bitterness in his voice, Ethan altered the way he addressed her, echoing her politeness, although reluctantly. “Ms. Nixon. I didn’t come to stop you. It’s been years since we last met, and I thought we might catch up. How have things been with you?”
Leila nodded, her smile broadening, before shaking Sophie’s hand.
Sophie caught on to Leila’s meaning instantly and turned to greet Ethan with a warm smile. “Hello, Mr. Brooks.”
Ethan’s gaze lingered on the adorable Sophie. He seemed momentarily lost in thought. “She’s the spitting image of you as a kid, those eyes especially.”
Sophie tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “How do you know what my mammy looked like as a kid?”
Leila responded with gentle patience, “He’s been a friend of mine since we were kids. He’s like an older brother to me, which makes him sort of like your uncle.”
Ethan noticed Leila’s subtle efforts to maintain a distance, which only added to his discomfort. His heart ached, realizing that a romantic future with Leila was out of reach, and their current estrangement only deepened his sorrow.
Ethan couldn’t hide his reluctance. “If you see me as an older brother, why do you call me Mr. Brooks? You’re not this formal with Brent.”
Leila’s brow creased, and she was just about to explain when the click of high heels interrupted her. Joanna approached, her poise unshaken, her beauty undimmed but with a hint of coldness visible behind her glasses. She took Ethan’s arm, deliberately flaunting her wedding ring at Leila.
Joanna said with a smile, “It seems I’ve come at a bad time. Am I interrupting anything?”
Despite Joanna’s friendly tone, Leila detected a hint of malice in her eyes.
Seizing the moment, Leila responded with a warm smile, taking Joanna’s hand gently, “Oh, you’re not interrupting at all. In fact, I was hoping to invite you both to dinner after my return. But I’ve been so busy, and I’m afraid it felt rather sudden.”
Then, introducing her daughter, Leila beamed. “This is my daughter, Sophie. I wonder when we’ll hear the wonderful news of you having a little one?”