Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Her awareness only fuelled her despair and determination.
Resolved, she vowed that before her death, she would make sure she was not alone in her fall.
As Lacey ran to tend to Cody, she passed Leila.
Their unexpected collision nearly sent Lacey crashing to the ground.
‘Watch where you’re walking,’ Leila said, grabbing Lacey before she stumbled.
After making sure Lacey was okay, Leila offered a soft apology.
‘I’m sorry.’
Lacey withdrew her hand from Leila’s grip silently, her face reflecting a mixture of emotions, and replied in a cold tone.
Unmoved by Lacey’s icy attitude, Leila simply offered her a warm smile before walking away.
Lacey’s eyes lingered a few moments longer on Leila’s retreating figure before she turned, prompted by an internal voice.
Lacey thought Leila wore her mask so well that even the sharpest eyes rarely managed to see through it.
Just now, she had almost believed Leila’s act.
No exits were allowed from the villa, as if the outside world was closed off until Cody regained consciousness.
Discontent was beginning to brew among some of the guests.
Despite Cody’s apparent courtesy in extending invitations, he had set strict conditions while conscious.
Any guest wishing to leave had to submit to a thorough search.
His measures had been severe since it was confirmed that he had been drugged.
The banquet was now surrounded by a cloud of suspicion, with everyone considered a possible suspect.
Complaints arose among many of the guests.
However, after Cody’s bodyguards dealt forcefully with the most vocal protester, the murmurs quickly ceased.
Originally, the gathering was for a banquet only, which meant that no one felt the need to bring bodyguards. Even those who did had bodyguards left their bodyguards outside the village.
The idea of contacting the police did not occur to anyone, as Cody had already lulled the guests with substantial benefits.
Lining up against Cody was the last thing on anyone’s mind.
They planned to leave after a short wait, but if Cody didn’t release them by the time the sun went down, then they would consider calling the police.
Leila found the constant murmuring unsettling.
She chose to escape to the quiet of the garden, a place free of other guests.
As she walked down the quiet path, Leila dialed her three children on a video call.
They had just finished school and were now home.
The three clustered in front of the camera, bombarding Leila with questions, their voices a melodious mix of excitement for their return.
Elma, who had recently grown closer to Leila, seemed noticeably more cheerful.
‘Mom, when are you coming home? I have an amazing story from school today. I miss you and I really want to have dinner with you tonight.’
The sight of her children’s eager faces undid Leila’s sadness.
She glanced at her watch.
Barely an hour had passed.
It wouldn’t be long, she thought, before the investigation came to an end.
Smiling at the camera, she replied, ‘I’ll be home before you know it. If hunger comes, don’t wait for me. Start dinner.’
Elma’s face turned into a pout as she looked curiously at Leila’s background, commenting, ‘Wow, those flowers look stunning!’
Leila looked up, her eyes scanning the landscape.
The garden displayed an explosion of colour, each flower more vivid and mesmerising than anything she had ever seen outside its confines.
Yet amidst this splendid flora, many species were unknown to her.
Lost in her contemplation of these exotic flowers, she was suddenly jolted by a nearby commotion, a child’s cry that tore through the tranquillity.
The sound was desperate, tugging at her sensitive chords.
‘I need to attend to something quickly,’ Leila informed her children on the video call, her tone apologetic.
With that, Leila disconnected and hurried to the source of the cries.
Before she could see the child, a familiar, stern voice cut through the air.
‘Why are you crying? Tears won’t help you here. You don’t belong in a place like this. Get out, you filthy scum! If you stay, I won’t hold back,’ Rola warned, her voice harsh and unsympathetic.
Earlier, at the party, Leila had held out a spark of hope that Rola would acknowledge her mistakes, but soon Rola resumed her abusive attitude.
A slight frown appeared between Leila’s brows, and a hint of resignation shone in her eyes.
Rola was a basket case.
Jeanette’s heart was pounding with fear as she noticed Rola approaching, flanked by several intimidating men.
Tears streaming down her face, she pleaded, ‘I can’t leave. My sister brought me here and I have to wait for her. If I disturb you, I will step aside and stay out of your way.’
‘No.’ Rola’s arms were crossed over her chest, a white bandage encircled her forehead, stained with faint traces of blood.
The earlier public humiliation had fanned a raging storm inside Rola, and now she had found the perfect target for her anger.
Jeanette wasn’t going anywhere.
With a haughty gesture, Rola declared, ‘This is my house. You are an unwanted guest and a nuisance. It’s time you paid for that.’
Trembling, Jeanette mustered the courage to ask, ‘What price?’
A mischievous grin spread across Rola’s face as she pointed to the lake behind Jeanette.
‘Take a dip in the lake.’ Jeanette’s eyes widened, her disbelief palpable as she turned to Rola.
The thought of watching Jeanette struggle in the water made Rola laugh, her amusement tinged with cruel satisfaction.
‘What’s the matter, too scared to swim? Well, if you don’t jump in, I guess I’ll have to push you a little.’
At Rola’s command, a servant grabbed Jeanette by the wrist.
Panic swept over Jeanette, and her voice trembled with fear as she pleaded, ‘I can’t swim! I really can’t swim! Whatever I did, I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry.’
Jeanette, ever so submissive, tried to appease Rola, but to no avail.