Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Linsey’s voice jolted Leila back to the present. She gave a sheepish grin. “Sorry for freaking you out,” she mumbled.
Linsey frowned, her voice laced with concern. “Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Linsey gently pressed her hand to Leila’s forehead. “Good, you don’t feel feverish. When I found you yesterday, you were a complete mess, crying your eyes out and burning up. I thought you were sick. You really scared the hell out of me.”
Leila cringed, remembering her drunken meltdown. She resolved to drink less next time.
A thought struck Leila, and she looked at Linsey with a serious expression. “Do you remember seeing anyone else around when you found me? There was a guy there. Landon, actually. I was drunk, and someone tried to… Well, it doesn’t matter. The point is, Landon saved me.” Leila’s eyes were filled with hope.
Linsey hesitated and then slowly shook her head.
“I didn’t see anyone else. Not Landon, not anyone. You were all alone. I looked everywhere, but he’s nowhere to be found. Leila, I hate to say it, but you need to forget about him and move on.”
The sparkle in Leila’s eyes dimmed. She bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears. It stung, knowing that Landon might never return. Maybe it was all just a dream. It had to be. There was no other explanation for Landon not recognizing her, for the coldness in his eyes.
Leila forced a smile, trying to reassure her friend. “I’m okay, Linsey. Really.”
Linsey let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Hey, did you know there’s a huge party happening here in a few days?” she asked, eager to distract Leila. “The Morgan family is sponsoring it. We should totally go!”
Leila vaguely recalled hearing about the celebration and nodded. “Yeah, okay.”
Just then, Sophie walked in, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Mommy, don’t forget we have to take Calvin to the doctor for his check-up today.”
Leila’s eyes widened. “Oh shoot, you’re right! I had a bit too much to drink last night and totally spaced it. Let’s get going then.”
Sophie shrugged. “Actually, he has planned to go by himself.”
Leila frowned and said, “That won’t work. His leg’s in rough shape. We need to go with him.”
Linsey sighed. “How did you manage to raise such well-mannered children? Calvin’s only five, isn’t he?”
Leila replied, “I never really ask much of them. Maybe it’s because I show them love, and they show love back.”
After tidying up, the group made their way to the hospital.
Calvin was recovering nicely, well enough to attend the upcoming celebration without issue.
As they prepared to leave, Leila’s thoughts drifted to Elma. With a moment’s hesitation, she made up her mind to visit the fever clinic.
As expected, Leila found Elma there, apparently back for a follow-up visit.
Elma was by herself, her tiny figure standing out amidst the bustling crowd.
Leila’s heart went out to Elma, and she hastened her steps to reach her.
Suddenly, a boy dashed through the crowd, not looking where he was going, and collided with Elma.
Elma tumbled to the floor, a sight that seemed excruciatingly painful. However, she did not shed a tear. Instead, she quickly rose, seized the boy by the arm, and said firmly, “Apologize now!”
The boy, taken aback, glanced at Elma. Using his height to his advantage, he tilted his head up defiantly and retorted, “Apologize? Why should I? It was your mistake for not looking where you were walking. You got what you deserved!”
Despite her petite stature, Elma’s presence was formidable. She intensified her tone. “You ran into me, so the apology should come from you. If you refuse, I’ll make sure you pay for it.”
The boy burst into laughter, dismissing her threat. “You think you can make me pay? Let’s see what you can do. Your parents aren’t with you, are they? Or perhaps you don’t have any? Maybe they don’t want you anymore? Ha.”
His words were biting and cruel.
Fury filled Elma’s eyes as she surged forward and bit down on the boy’s hand.
The boy screamed and flung Elma away.
Thrown on the floor, Elma curled into a ball, anticipating the boy’s beating that never came.
When Elma hesitantly opened her eyes, she saw a figure standing before her protectively.
Leila, with icy eyes, had the boy by his collar. “Is bullying smaller kids the only thing you’re good at?”
Intimidated yet defiant, the boy blurted out, “She hurt me first, and I was just defending myself.”
Leila huffed, revealing the boy’s deception. “I had a clear view from the side! You were the one who ran into her first.”
The boy shot back defensively. “She was right in the middle of the path. What else could I have done?”
Leila gestured to the floor with a pointed look. “Does this look like the middle of the path to you?”
Caught off-guard, the boy faltered, his face flushing as he struggled to find words.
Dismissing him, Leila turned her attention to Elma, helping her up from the floor.
When Elma saw Leila, her emotions swirled, relief mixed with a sudden urge to cry. This was the first time anyone had stood up for her like that.
As the boy attempted to escape, Leila quickly grabbed him, her voice firm. “Apologize now, or you’re going to pay for it.”
Though such a threat might sound hollow coming from gentle Elma, it carried weight when delivered by Leila. Her years in business had honed a once-soft demeanor into one of authority. Her gaze was icy, commanding respect effortlessly.
The boy burst into tears, hoping to draw sympathy from the onlookers and escape Leila’s grasp.
But Leila remained unfazed, watching his theatrics with a slight, amused smile.
“My dear boy!” At that moment, a woman clad in high-fashion attire, her hair in tight curls and exuding an arrogant vibe, emerged from the crowd.
By her side, a burly man with a pronounced belly made his presence felt, both exuding an aura of authority.
When the woman saw her son held effortlessly by Leila, she emitted a piercing shriek and swiftly took the boy into her arms.
The man shot Leila a menacing stare, his eyes lingering suggestively on her features.
Leila felt a gentle pull at her sleeve and looked down to see Elma’s innocent, wide-eyed gaze.
Elma cleared her throat softly and murmured, “You don’t need to stand up for me. Let’s just leave. They’re nothing but trouble.”
Leila flashed a reassuring grin. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this covered. I’ll keep you safe.”
Elma’s pride swelled, and she retorted, “Keep me safe? As if they’d dare lay a finger on me!”
No sooner had Elma finished her declaration than the man with the imposing figure approached quickly and seized Leila’s wrist.
This unexpected action caused Elma to instinctively grip Leila’s clothes, her previous confidence dissolving instantly.
Leila eyed the unsavory hand clutching her wrist, her expression chilling. “Are you thinking of hitting me? Because I’m ready to call the police right now.”
The man sneered with arrogance, “Say sorry to my son, or you’re not walking out of here today. You think I actually need to exert myself dealing with someone like you?”
Beside him, the boy continued to cry, while the woman holding him shrieked, “Make them grovel for forgiveness!”
Leila’s tone remained icy.
“First off, your kid started the bullying. You’re the ones who owe an apology. If you can’t accept that, fine. We have surveillance cameras all around. Let’s get the police involved, and they can sort it out.”
The man shot a glance at the woman. She returned a knowing look.
The man tightened his hold on Leila’s wrist, scoffing. “Call the police? Who mentioned calling the police? If you refuse to apologize, don’t hold it against me for being rude.”
With that, the man raised his hand to strike Leila.