Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Sadly, the person she liked had poor judgement when it came to choosing a mate, having fallen in love with someone so cruel.
Lacey cast a furtive glance at Landon, her eyes glittering with an almost rapt look, as he remained oblivious.
Leila saw Jeanette cornered by a group of children and ran towards her without hesitation.
She scattered the group and then focused her attention on Jeanette’s bruises, feeling her anger rising.
‘Do you remember who it was that did this to you?’
Jeanette, tears streaming down her cheeks, shook her head.
‘I don’t remember.’
Assuming Jeanette was scared, Leila reassured her in a soft voice.
‘Don’t worry.
I’m here now, and I promise we’re going to get to the bottom of this.
They’ll think twice before they bother you again when they see me.
So, no more tears, okay?’
As Leila spoke, she tenderly wiped the tears from Jeanette’s face.
Jeanette had only ever experienced this gesture of affection from her sister.
Being with Leila often awakened in her memories of her mother, whose face now faded from her memory.
Looking down, Jeanette murmured, ‘Why are you so good to me?’
The question surprised Leila.
Unsure what to say and not wanting to lie, she replied with a smile, ‘Honestly, I’m not sure.
Maybe there was something about you from the moment we met.’
Deep down, Leila knew the real reason.
It was because Elma had once disappeared and Cara’s mistreatment had caused her deep suffering.
Leila still vividly remembered her first encounter with Elma.
Elma seemed like just a playful and innocent child.
As time passed, Elma often found herself isolated, bearing the brunt of the bullying in solitary quiet.
Leila would often relive these memories in her dreams.
Elma’s childhood episodes filled her with deep pain.
The regret persisted.
She never managed to get rid of it.
She constantly wondered why she had not found Elma earlier and why she had not been there to protect her then.
Because of this, Leila felt a deep empathy whenever she saw another child suffer.
Jeanette’s tragic past and her unusual maturity only made her feel even more sympathy for her.
With a soft sigh, Leila whispered, ‘All right, I won’t insist.
If you’d rather not face them, I’ll respect your wish.
But first, we need to tend to your wounds.’
Taking Jeanette by the hand, Leila led the way.
Before leaving, Leila informed Clayton, ‘I’ll take her for treatment.
We’ll be back shortly.’
As she said this, Leila didn’t notice the peculiar look that crossed Jeanette’s face.
Jeanette pondered Leila’s words, trying to decipher their hidden meaning.
Why was Leila being so nice to her for no apparent reason? Surely Leila had some hidden agenda.
Maybe she was planning to gain her trust only to betray her later.
That had to be the reason.
Jeanette was convinced her sister wouldn’t cheat on her.
Surely Leila must be up to no good.
Jeanette’s delicate fists clenched, her fingers digging into her palms.
As Jeanette and Leila approached the villa’s guest lounge, Jeanette stopped suddenly.
He couldn’t meet her eyes, his voice barely a whisper.
‘I don’t want to go there.
I know a secluded spot.’
Leila nodded, understanding.
Children Jeanette’s age often guarded their pride jealously.
With a soft smile, Leila replied, ‘Okay, lead the way.’
Taking Leila’s hand, Jeanette swerved her way.
Her first steps were reluctant, her feet dragging.
However, with each step, her determination grew.
Eventually they reached a secluded hut in the garden.
To Leila’s surprise, all the supplies needed to treat the wounds were already there, eliminating the need to search for a staff member.
Leila made Jeanette sit up, gently lifted the sleeve of her shirt, and a faint concern crossed her face.
‘You’re very young, but it’s about time you learned some self-defence skills.
Maybe you could talk it over with your sister.
I just enrolled my three children in self-defence classes.
If you’re interested and you’re not too busy with school, you can join them.
Don’t worry about the cost.’