Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“I get where Elaine is coming from. She wants the best education for her sister, but she’s also worried because her sister’s so far away.”
“She is like the ideal sister. If I were in Elaine’s shoes, I don’t know if I’d be as good to my sister.”
“That’s exactly why she was able to become the Best Actress. She is incredibly level-headed.”
“I’m really curious about what happened to Elaine’s sister. She doesn’t seem to be doing well…”
“Haven’t you seen the news about Elaine’s sister? It’s such a shame. She was such a striking young woman.”
Leila was tempted to ask more but sensed it wasn’t the right moment.
With that, the conversation drew to a close. Everyone dispersed and returned to their rooms.
To Leila’s surprise, Saniya was nowhere to be found in the room.
Though Leila didn’t care, she felt compelled to act. She approached the director for answers. The director informed her that Saniya was in a foul mood and wanted to be left alone.
Leila pointed out that Saniya was not suitable for the show and suggested that perhaps it would be better for her to quit, especially considering the harsh criticism she was receiving in the comments.
However, the director shook his head, dismissing the idea. He didn’t offer much of an explanation, only mentioning that unless Saniya quit on her own, the show would be liable to compensate her due to the contract if she wasn’t included.
However, Leila knew there was more to the story. It likely had something to do with Saniya’s boyfriend. Now, Leila’s curiosity was piqued even further. Was it Stan or Dean?
The following day, Saniya showed up on the set as expected.
Saniya wanted to talk to Elaine, but Elaine was avoiding her like the plague.
After yesterday’s events, everyone had seen Saniya’s true colors.
Even Debbie, who was usually gentle, was curt with Saniya.
Saniya felt aggrieved and a little furious. She had never been given the cold shoulder like this before. She blamed Leila for all of it.
Leila could feel Saniya’s resentful stares from behind, but she merely gave Saniya a dismissive glance. Saniya wasn’t even worth her time, let alone her effort.
The next day, they began to immerse themselves in rural life.
Saniya didn’t want to do any work. She had initially sought Elaine out, hoping to exploit Elaine’s sympathy and willingness to help with farm work.
However, no one was willing to be taken advantage of anymore. Reluctantly, Saniya had to tackle the tasks herself.
She constantly looked on the verge of tears. Despite everyone engaging in the same chores, Saniya acted as though she was being subjected to undue hardship. Her behavior didn’t go unnoticed, sparking criticism from many viewers:
“Oh my gosh! She is only watering vegetables. The show hasn’t assigned any heavy labor. Her face makes it look like she’s been asked to move mountains. She is definitely playing the victim.”
“Sophie does more work than Saniya and still has a smile on her face. I never realized how much Saniya exaggerates.”
“Crying like that just sours the mood. I can’t stand watching her constantly in tears.”
Meanwhile, the three adults and little Sophie were worlds apart from Saniya. Their interaction was warm and natural, like old friends reconnecting, rather than strangers who had just met on the show.
Some had expected Sophie to burst into tears, requiring Leila’s soothing presence given her young age. However, the bright and charming Sophie proved them all wrong.
Sophie not only held her own but also cheerfully lent a hand to both Elaine and Debbie.
Completely smitten with Sophie, Debbie often pulled her into a hug, exclaiming, “Leila, you have to let me keep Sophie! I really adore her. I have never met a child as adorable as she is.”
Leila chuckled, giving Sophie’s cheek a gentle pinch. “What do you think, Sophie? Do you want to stay with Debbie?”
Sophie eagerly nodded and dashed over to Debbie, but then she took Debbie’s hand and said in a serious tone, “But Debbie, I can’t stay with you forever. You have to promise to send me back to my mom. She is the best mom in the world, and she will miss me if I’m away too long.”
Charmed by Sophie’s adorable demeanor, Debbie asked with a playful grin, “Does your mom scold you if you do something wrong?”
Sophie nodded and then shook her head. “It’s normal to be scolded when I do something wrong. My mommy works so hard and takes care of me all the time. When I do something right, she always rewards me. I know she puts in a lot of effort and is incredibly good to me. Even if we have little disagreements, she is still the most important person in my life.”
Sophie’s straightforward logic and articulate speech left everyone in awe.
The viewers were taken aback by her intelligence, admiring her smartness and filial piety.
“Oh my gosh, if only I could have a daughter like that! I would be willing to have kids if I could have such a cute one.”
“I’m so envious of Leila for having such a well-behaved daughter. My own kids are so naughty and disobedient by comparison.”
Of course, not everyone was impressed.
“Is it really appropriate for a child to be so mature? I find it hard to believe a kid could speak like that. Her mother must have coached her. What we perceive as maturity might be a result of the adults mistreating her.”
“That little girl must have undergone special training. I just can’t buy it.”
“Some kids are naturally gifted. Just because you can’t have one doesn’t mean others can’t. Remember the last show? Sophie and Leila had a wonderful relationship. Leila protected Sophie well. Can’t you see that?”
The discussion was animated and full of varied opinions.
Elaine’s gaze lingered on Sophie, her eyes betraying a flood of emotions. She whispered, “My sister was just like this when she was young. If only she…” Elaine’s voice trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished. The pain in her eyes was unmistakable.
Leila noticed the subtle shift in Elaine’s demeanor but opted not to offer comfort.
Elaine’s sister was clearly a tender subject for her. Leila understood that probing too deeply would only make Elaine more guarded.
In the afternoon, rain showered over the small village. The director had noted that mushrooms would spring up on the mountain after the rain.
Everyone was free to forage for these mushrooms, which could be used in cooking or sold for profit.
Although the guests were provided with rooms to stay in during the show, they were responsible for managing their own food and supplies. They had the option to grow vegetables, which could also be sold. The goal was to make the most of what they had available.
The prospect of exploring the mountain thrilled everyone. Sophie, in particular, was bubbling with excitement. She had never experienced such a life before and, full of energy, flatly refused to take a nap at noon.
Leila couldn’t take it any longer. She finally warned Sophie that if she didn’t start listening, she would send her off to Landon.
That got Sophie to behave right away.
Although Landon treated her kindly, Sophie always preferred being with her mother. The thought of leaving her mom unsettled her.
As Leila cradled Sophie, watching her sleep peacefully in her arms, she realized that no matter how bright or well-behaved a child might seem, maturity was still a long way off. It would be better to consider sending Sophie to Landon at a later time. She understood the importance of not letting Sophie experience only maternal affection.
Before long, it was time to head out and gather mushrooms.
Saniya hesitated to go, yet knowing her options were limited, she understood that if she stayed behind, she would be left out, isolated from the group.
Although she had a boyfriend from the Kensington family, the internal power struggle within the family cast uncertainty on who would ultimately come out on top.
Moreover, Saniya knew her position as his girlfriend wasn’t earned through any respectable means. Their relationship had been a one-night affair, and he had never publicly acknowledged her as his girlfriend.
Still, she publicly flaunted the title anyway. Without it, her status alone wouldn’t have granted her a spot on this show. This was her big break, and she couldn’t afford to let it slip through her fingers.
Saniya reluctantly followed the group with a heavy heart, though no one bothered to acknowledge her.
The mountain air, crisp and cool after the rain, carried a refreshing scent, and the landscape shimmered with beauty.
Debbie beamed with delight. Since her hometown was in the mountains, she eagerly shared her insights, offering advice on what to keep an eye out for.
Trailing behind the group, Saniya watched in silence. Her mood darkened as she noticed that an amateur college student like Debbie had more shots than her, stirring a sense of frustration.
After mulling it over, Saniya decided to approach Sophie. During the lunch break, Saniya took the opportunity to do some digging and discovered that Sophie was, by far, the most popular person in the group.