Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Elaine sighed, clearly torn. “Saniya, I still need to unpack. I promise I’ll come back and sit with you once I’m done, okay?”
Saniya didn’t respond, her gaze drifting toward the curtains, her lips quivering with fresh frustration. “The director said they’ll be putting cameras in our rooms,” she muttered. “I don’t know what people will think if they see the curtains like that.”
Their voices were low, but Leila overheard every word. Her brow furrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. Something about their conversation left her irritated. Leila had hung the curtain specifically because of Saniya’s overly emotional nature. She knew if anything went wrong, Saniya would find a way to blame her. And now, it seemed inevitable. No matter the situation, Saniya was determined to make Leila the scapegoat.
Sophie stirred next to Leila, her voice soft but laced with irritation. “Mommy, it’s so noisy. I can’t sleep!” Saniya’s sobs, though not loud, had an irritatingly sharp quality. It buzzed in the background, piercing through the silence like an annoying fly. Leila could see why Sophie was getting impatient.
Before Leila could remind her daughter to lower her voice, Saniya’s wailing grew even louder, filling the room. Then, rapid footsteps echoed down the hallway, rushing toward them.
Elaine stormed over, yanking the curtain aside and glaring at Leila. “What’s your problem? Did Saniya do something to upset you?”
Leila remained calm, pulling her frightened daughter close. Her eyes met Elaine’s, steady and unwavering. The air between them grew thick with tension, and Elaine, despite her initial aggression, instinctively took a step back.
Leila smiled softly, her voice calm but firm. “I think that’s a question for Miss Mason. How exactly did my daughter and I offend her that she feels the need to make us her target?”
“You…” Elaine’s anger flared, but before she could get a full sentence out, Leila cut her off. “Miss Webster, I’ve noticed that you’re someone who values fairness. You wouldn’t be so protective of Saniya if you didn’t believe she needed defending.”
Elaine, caught off guard by the sudden praise, hesitated. Leila’s words were disarming, and despite herself, Elaine couldn’t muster a reply. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but after a long pause, she simply closed it, unsure how to proceed.
Leila continued, her tone measured, “I’m just an ordinary woman. Miss Mason, on the other hand, is a public figure. The curtain? It was to protect her privacy and not to cause trouble. I brought it up in front of the director and the camera, and no one objected, not even Saniya. So why now, after all that, does she suddenly claim that I’m using it to embarrass her?”
Leila paused for a moment, letting her words sink in, and then added, “I’ve done nothing to provoke her. The only reason I was late today is that I’m not in the group chat. I didn’t bring it up on camera out of respect for both of you, knowing you’re in the public eye. Yet, instead of gratitude, Miss Mason has been using that as an excuse to target my daughter.”
Elaine stood speechless, her earlier aggression melting away. She frowned, her frustration visible, and then, without another word, she pulled out her phone. As anticipated, there were still only three people in the group.
Elaine recalled how she had set up the group chat earlier and asked Saniya to add anyone who wasn’t present. But now, it was clear. Despite the show having already started, Leila had never been added.
Elaine’s skeptical gaze shifted toward Saniya, who quickly grew anxious under the weight of it. Desperation flickered in Saniya’s eyes as she rolled them, clearly scrambling for an escape. In a trembling, sobbing tone, she blurted out, “Even if that’s true, you can’t just scheme with the crew to put us in the same room. Are you trying to bully me? The door’s closed, and there’s no monitor… I’m just a small star. What could I do?”
Leila couldn’t help but laugh. Saniya’s attempt to change the subject was transparent, and while clever, it wasn’t clever enough to hold. “You’re smart,” Leila replied calmly. “But not smart enough. You were the one who insisted on drawing lots to assign rooms, in front of the camera, claiming it would be fair. I had no issue sharing a room with Miss Clifford, but you pushed for the lottery.”
Leila paused, her gaze steady as she spoke. “So, if I was supposedly plotting with the crew, how would the random draw you suggested fit into that?” Silence settled over the room.
Sophie, picking up on the tension, mimicked Saniya’s pitiful expression and whispered, “Mommy, that lady is so mean. Why does she keep trying to bully me? I’m scared.”
Leila smiled softly, brushing a hand through Sophie’s hair. “Sweetheart, don’t listen to women like that. They’ve lost their dignity.”
The comment landed like a direct hit, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
Saniya’s face flushed, her eyes filling with grievance as she looked helplessly at Elaine for support. Elaine, visibly irritated, didn’t come to Saniya’s defense this time. She frowned, her tone clipped. “Saniya, calm down. I need to unpack. Stop crying. If you look like this when we start filming, it won’t do either of us any favors.”
Saniya’s tears stopped abruptly. She stared at Elaine in disbelief, tears still clinging to her lashes. Her pretty face twisted into something almost feral, making her look more ridiculous than sympathetic.
After Elaine left, Saniya dropped the act. Sitting on the bed, she glared daggers at Leila, her anger simmering. Leila, uninterested in further confrontation, simply pulled the curtain shut between them. The moment Leila did, Saniya’s anger flared again.
With a sharp snort, Saniya spat, “Miss Nixon, do you really not know why I hate you so much? I still remember what happened at the manor in Halstead. I trusted you back then, and all you did was make a fool of me. That’s why I’m so angry today. Maybe others can’t see through your fake, hypocritical face, but I can.”
Leila didn’t flinch. Instead, she met Saniya’s venom with a cold, mocking smile. “So you do remember. Good. Then I won’t bother reminding you. Let’s be clear: I never went out of my way to make things difficult for you, not then and not now. But don’t mistake my patience for weakness. If you leave me alone, we can live peacefully. But if you keep pushing me, I won’t let it slide.”
Leila felt her restraint was commendable, considering her intentions here weren’t to start drama but to stay on good terms with Elaine. Yet, Saniya wasn’t ready to let things go.
Suddenly, Saniya stormed over, her voice rising with accusation. “Can you swear you didn’t deliberately humiliate me at the manor? I trusted you! You advised me to change into those ridiculous loose clothes, and do you have any idea how many people laughed at me that day?”
Leila’s patience was wearing dangerously thin. She couldn’t believe she was dealing with such a foolish person. Leila sighed, shaking her head. “The morning was filled with sports-related activities, yet you showed up in stiletto heels and a tight dress. Then, come evening, when it’s time for the banquet, you’re in your gym gear. That day, you claimed to be just a regular person wanting to build connections with influential people, but you don’t even understand the basics of social etiquette?”
Saniya refused to acknowledge her mistake. Arms crossed, she looked like she had all the answers. “If that’s the case, why didn’t you tell me earlier? I think you’re just jealous because I look better than you, and you’re scared I’ll steal your spotlight. You and Clayton came over together. If you hadn’t been there, he would have asked about me himself. But you were jealous, so you stepped in instead.”
Leila blinked in disbelief, realizing Saniya harbored resentment for such a petty reason. With a sigh, she decided not to explain that Clayton had asked her to help, and otherwise, she wouldn’t have cared at all.
“You think I’m jealous of you?” Leila arched an eyebrow, stepping forward and pulling back the curtain. “Tell me, why would I ever be jealous of you?”
Saniya suddenly found herself speechless. The sunlight poured in, highlighting Leila’s features. Despite being five or six years older than Saniya and having a child, Leila’s beauty had only matured, leaving her with an elegance and allure that Saniya couldn’t match. It seemed absurd to claim Leila was envious of Saniya..
Feeling embarrassed by the comparison, Saniya bit her lip and quickly changed her stance. “It’s not that. You’re jealous because I’m younger than you.”
“Jealous? Of you being younger than me?” Leila scoffed, her voice dripping with mockery. “So, what you’re saying is that I envy your youthful ignorance? That you’re so clueless you don’t even realize you should dress differently for a party?”
Left speechless, Saniya yanked the curtain shut and stormed out in anger, slamming the door behind her with a loud thud.
Sophie, who had been quietly observing the whole exchange, frowned. “Mommy, I don’t want to be a star anymore. That woman is so mean. Do I have to deal with people like her if I become famous?”
Leila chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Sweetheart, people like her exist in every industry. But remember, bullies only target those they think are weak. Don’t let them intimidate you.”
Sophie nodded, though she didn’t fully grasp the lesson. Then, with a sudden brightness in her eyes, she exclaimed, “Mommy! We’ll see Landon!”
Leila blinked in surprise. “Why would you say that?” Realization dawned on her, and she playfully pinched Sophie’s cheek. “You two planned this, didn’t you? And kept it a secret from me?”
Sophie giggled, hugging her mother. “Landon wanted to surprise you!”
The next filming segment was scheduled for the evening, leaving some time for family and friends to visit during the break. Leila hadn’t told Landon about this, but he must have communicated with Sophie behind her back. Leila sighed, amused at the mischief. She loved how clever her daughter was, but realized having an overly clever child wasn’t always a blessing.
As evening approached, Leila took Sophie to the set, having informed the director earlier. They walked toward the roadside where they noticed the conspicuous Maybach standing out among a sea of vehicles. Leila couldn’t help but feel a mix of exasperation and amusement, but her steps quickened as she made her way over.
Inside the car, Leila felt a wave of relief wash over her. Even when swamped with endless tasks at the company, she’d never felt exhausted like that. Perhaps she had made the right decision by not entering the entertainment industry.
Landon played with Sophie for a while and then turned to see Leila’s sleepy face. A wave of sympathy washed over him. He gently draped his jacket over her. “Close your eyes and rest for a while,” he whispered. “You’ve still got time.”
Though half asleep, Leila stubbornly tried to stay awake. “No… We have dinner plans. If I sleep now, we’ll miss the evening shoot, and who knows what might happen?”
Landon’s eyes were filled with concern. “Okay. We’ll go to dinner. What do you feel like eating?”
Leila stifled a yawn, her lashes clumped with sleep-induced tears. Her usual icy gaze softened, revealing a rare, gentle vulnerability. “Whatever… I don’t care,” she whispered.
It reminded Landon of when they were kids and Leila was so sleepy that she fell asleep beside him, just as vulnerable.
Landon felt a surge of tenderness. Gently, he pulled Leila closer, adjusting her position so she could rest more comfortably. However, Leila quickly withdrew from Landon’s embrace and shook her head. “Not now, Landon. Sophie’s here.”
Landon raised a finger to his lips, signaling her to stay quiet. Leila peeked at their daughter, realizing Sophie had already dozed off, resting against Landon. He was softly patting Sophie’s back, soothing her in her sleep.
Surprised, Leila whispered, “Since when did you get so good at this?”
“I’ve known this since I became a father. I thought these skills might come in handy someday, so I learned them privately,” Landon replied, gazing lovingly at their daughter. “I never imagined I’d actually use them.”
Turning back to Leila, Landon said, “You can take a nap. We’ve got another twenty minutes before we arrive, and I’ll make sure we’re back in time for the shoot.” Feeling drowsy and too tired to argue, Leila nodded and closed her eyes.
In the driver’s seat, Edgar glanced in the rearview mirror at the peaceful scene of the adorable family of three. Leila was leaning on Landon’s shoulder, and Sophie was asleep with her head resting on his lap. Edgar felt a mix of awe and emotion. Landon finally felt the warmth of a family.
Instead of opting for a high-end restaurant, Landon selected a highly-rated local specialty eatery. Due to its popularity, even the private rooms at the restaurant were booked a month in advance. As they exited the car, Leila couldn’t help but admire Landon’s thoughtfulness; he had slipped off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. The temperature swings between day and night were drastic here, and the chilly evening breeze made it easy to catch a cold.
With one arm around Leila and the other holding Sophie’s hand, Landon led them in. After taking a few steps, Leila suddenly halted and looked up. “Wait. You’re not wearing a mask.”
Landon nodded calmly. “Yes, but it’s fine. We’re not familiar faces here. I’m not worried about being recognized.”
Leila disagreed. “You’ve been very cautious ever since you returned. Why risk everything over one careless moment?”
Landon simply smiled in response. Edgar stepped forward to clarify, “Don’t worry, ma’am. He is preparing to remarry you and give you a stable home. We’ve sped up our plans and gathered all the evidence we need. Now, we’re just waiting for Stan to walk into our trap.”
Landon gently tucked a strand of hair behind Leila’s ear. “Honey, once you’ve sorted everything out and returned to Burmoos, you won’t have to worry about threats anymore.”
Leila’s heart fluttered with emotion. A soft blush spread across her cheeks as she clung tightly to Landon’s hand, savoring the comfort of his touch.
None of Landon’s group noticed Saniya’s presence nearby. Standing a short distance away, Saniya observed the cheerful trio of a family. Memories flooded back to Saniya of times when Leila and Clayton strolled side by side.
Saniya concluded that contrary to the online gossip, Leila was not a single mother but married. Saniya scoffed. How was Leila still so close to Clayton after marriage? She was right; Leila was just a tramp. Saniya discreetly took out her phone and captured a photo of them from behind.