Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila recalled visiting the White family’s home as a child and how affectionately Gracelyn and her husband had interacted. Even in their fifties, they had appeared deeply in love.
Seeing Leila’s confused expression, Gracelyn explained, “You’re curious, aren’t you? I’ll be frank. He was a genuinely good man, but his heart was too soft. When faced with the man responsible for our only grandson’s death, he proposed forgiving that ruthless person and told me to let go of the past. I was bent on revenge for our grandson, but he considered me deranged and planned to take me abroad for psychiatric help. To stop him from intervening, I had no choice but to do this. Now, doesn’t he seem much more manageable?”
For a moment, Leila was at a loss for words. Gracelyn’s husband’s advice had probably been for Gracelyn’s own good, as it was becoming clear to Leila that Gracelyn did appear a bit unhinged.
Realizing she was in the hands of such a person filled Leila with despair. Her emotions surged, causing her chest to rise and fall rapidly, and her eyes widened in shock.
Noticing Leila’s distressed state, Gracelyn grew concerned and quickly instructed, “Look at her! Leila isn’t well. Get the doctor immediately.” The servant hurried off, and shortly, a doctor came in.
The doctor went through the motions of examining Leila. After a brief assessment, he turned to Gracelyn with a regretful expression and informed her, “Mrs. White, it appears Miss Nixon suffered a severe head injury from a fall on the mountain. This has resulted in her paralysis. But rest assured, I will do everything I can to help her.”
Gracelyn’s face lit up with a pleased smile. She gave a dramatic sigh.
“She’s always running off to dangerous places. Now, look at the trouble she’s in. Let her stay with me for some time. I’ll ensure she’s well taken care of. Thank you, Dr. Watson.”
Calvert Watson, the doctor, responded with a polite nod, “Just doing my job.”
Leila watched the charade unfold, her drug-induced paralysis being spun into a tale of a tragic mountain fall.
But Leila knew it wasn’t that simple. Even if Gracelyn managed to concoct some evidence now, it was only a matter of time before the police and her assistant came looking for her. She had no injuries consistent with a fall. How would Gracelyn account for that when the police arrived?
Just then, Leila felt a cold stare on her, sending a chill through her body.
Right away, Leila heard Gracelyn say, “This plan won’t work. If the officers arrive and notice she’s unharmed, they’ll definitely grow suspicious.”
The servant beside Gracelyn chimed in, “Mrs. White, your worries are valid.”
Leila felt her heart pounding furiously. Her only form of protection was the fierce stare she sent toward the group in front of her. Gracelyn disregarded Leila’s look of terror and anger.
After carefully examining Leila, Gracelyn said, “We need to inflict some visible injuries on her, but keep her alive. Without her, I’ll be terribly alone for the next decade.” The servant nodded quickly.
All Leila could do was watch helplessly as she was pushed into a dark, windowless room by the servant.
Calvert was the one tasked with inflicting injuries on Leila. The servant and Calvert seemed quite familiar with each other, indicating that Calvert was frequently engaged by Gracelyn.
Leila suspected the drug paralyzing her had been administered by Calvert.
During their conversation, Leila learned that the servant who often followed Gracelyn and seemed close to her was named Florrie Avila.
Florrie and Calvert, both approaching their fifties, appeared to be on friendly terms. However, their occasional exchanges of looks suggested there was something more between them, making Leila believe that their relationship was not as simple as it seemed.
Following Gracelyn’s orders, Florrie gave Calvert a pat on the shoulder and then left the room.
Now, in the total darkness, only Leila and Calvert remained.
A plan began to take shape in Leila’s mind. She sensed an opportunity. As Calvert came closer with his medical tools, Leila started to make muffled noises. Although she was unable to articulate words, she could still make sounds.
Initially, Calvert ignored the sounds, but as they became louder and more frantic, he stopped. After all, Gracelyn had made it clear that Leila must not be killed. If her agitation led to complications, he knew he couldn’t bear the responsibility.
Calvert looked at Leila with a hint of curiosity.
“Is there something you’re trying to say?” he asked.
Leila responded with several muffled sounds and blinked, acknowledging his question.
Calvert appeared slightly troubled as he said, “It’s difficult to communicate with you since you can’t speak.”
Leila frowned but knew she had to make good use of this rare chance. After pondering briefly, Calvert proposed, “I’ll type out what you might want to say. Blink if I’m right.”
Despite the fact that it was a bit cumbersome, they had no better option.
It took Calvert a full thirty minutes to decipher the basic message Leila was trying to convey.
“So, you’re saying if I help you escape, you’ll pay me generously, perhaps even double or more?” Calvert said.
Leila responded with rapid blinks.
Calvert pondered with a serious gaze but didn’t refuse. Instead, he said, “First, you need to tell me how much you’re willing to offer.”
Calvert intentionally proposed a high price.
“Would you agree to fifty million dollars?”
Leila paused briefly but still blinked. Although fifty million dollars was a hefty amount, she wasn’t lacking money. To her, preserving her life was far more crucial than money. What value did her fortune hold if she didn’t have life and freedom?
Leila was confident Calvert would find the offer appealing. After all, the stature of the White family had diminished significantly. Fifty million dollars could potentially be half of the White family’s wealth. A brief flicker of hesitation and temptation flashed across Calvert’s eyes before vanishing quickly.
Calvert quickly made up his mind, giving Leila a sinister smile.
“Miss Nixon, I must admit, your offer is tempting, but I can’t take it because you can’t give me what I want.”
Leila’s eyes grew wide with shock. Fifty million wasn’t enough? This man was indeed greedy. Nevertheless, if money wasn’t enough, they could negotiate.
Leila began to make desperate muffled sounds again.
Seeing her like this, Calvert burst into laughter.
“Alright, to be frank, I’m not after money,” he declared.
As he said this, his gaze became intense..
A shiver of fear ran down Leila’s spine. For some inexplicable reason, she felt that Calvert was far from normal, especially with the way he was now looking at her, like a predator stalking its prey.
Calvert peered around the door, scanning the area to ensure no one was nearby. Once certain they were alone, he crouched in front of Leila and reached out to touch her face. His wrinkled face bore an expression of intense obsession and possessiveness.
Leila instantly understood his lustful look and became alert. He wouldn’t force himself on her right here, would he?
Noting the wariness in Leila’s eyes, his smile grew even more smug.
“That’s why I told you that you can’t give me what I really want. So, why should I help you? Wouldn’t it be better for you to remain quietly in a wheelchair as my doll for the rest of your life? Look at you, so beautiful. Normally, you wouldn’t even give someone like me a second glance. But that’s okay. From now on, you belong to me,” he declared.
As Calvert spoke, his hand began to roam over Leila’s body.
Though Leila was numb to the touch, she felt a revolting sensation, as though she was coiled by a snake. Her heart raced, her stomach twisted, and she felt nauseous.
Under Leila’s frightened gaze, Calvert finally pulled back his hand. He exhaled with a hint of regret.
“It’s not quite time yet. You need to hold on for a few more days. But rest assured, once I have you, and if you cooperate, I’ll be willing to save you from that weird old woman.”
Leila’s breath quickened, and her eyes gleamed with a deadly look as she stared at Calvert. But she was powerless. She was like a lamb heading to the slaughter, without the strength to fight back.
Calvert appeared in good spirits, humming a tune as he picked up his tools. He intentionally inflicted several injuries on Leila’s head and limbs. As a doctor, he was well-versed in human anatomy.
When Calvert finished, he pushed Leila in front of a mirror.
Leila was shocked. The wounds on her forehead and the assorted bruises and scratches on her limbs all seemed to suggest she had tumbled down a mountain.
Calvert was rather content with his handiwork, nodding approvingly.
“Not bad. Even if the police come, they’ll find nothing out of the ordinary.”
He planned to take advantage of the situation to further harass Leila. Just as he extended his hand toward her, the door suddenly opened. Florrie was back.
Though Calvert quickly pulled his hand back, Florrie sensed something was wrong.