Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila consoled herself that time was on her side. The future remained uncertain, and anything could happen.
Leila fixed Florrie with an icy stare.
Once dressed, Leila was wheeled to see Gracelyn.
Florrie stepped forward and took control of Leila’s wheelchair.
Propelling Leila down the hallway, Florrie leaned in, her voice a menacing whisper.
“Remember our little chat yesterday? Cross me, and you’ll regret it. Think about your husband. If Mrs. White finds out who he really is, he’s doomed.”
While Leila didn’t intend to report Florrie’s abuse to Gracelyn, she wasn’t about to let Florrie walk all over her.
A chuckle escaped Leila’s lips, her voice raspy from recent disuse.
“I know that man, sure. But he isn’t my husband. Think about it. My husband is Landon, the CEO of the Kensington Group and a big deal in Burmoos. How could he possibly end up here after falling from the cliff?”
Leila didn’t dread Florrie digging around in the slightest. She had made sure of that. Leo and the combined forces of the Kensington and Nixon groups had ensured news of Landon’s incident was kept under wraps. Even if Clayton tried to spill the beans, it wouldn’t cause much of a stir.
Florrie’s eyes burned into Leila, her gaze intense and accusatory. Leila simply smiled serenely, her demeanor betraying no hint of deception.
A wave of fear washed over Florrie, her arrogance melting away, replaced by a hint of conciliation.
“How about we call a truce?” she proposed.
“You keep your mouth shut, and I’ll do the same. I’ll even treat you better. I can’t let you leave, but if you need anything, just name it. I’m Mrs. White’s right-hand woman, you know. At the very least, I can make your stay more comfortable.”
Leila cast a dismissive glance at Florrie.
“I don’t need anything from you. While I’m not sure why Gracelyn is keeping me here, she and I go way back. I’m sure she’ll take good care of me.”
Leila smiled and asked Florrie, “Did I say something wrong?”
Florrie was rendered speechless. She had to admit that Leila’s words were right. Gracelyn truly intended to treat Leila well during this period, knowing Leila would prove to be valuable later on. This was the reason Florrie couldn’t take Leila’s life, despite her desire to do so.
Florrie regretted the physical abuse she had inflicted on Leila the day before, but she had been unable to restrain herself.
Florrie had once planned to marry Calvert, a man ten years her senior, though they appeared to be about the same age. It was a mistake made in her youth. Nevertheless, after marrying him, she felt compelled to stick with her wrong choice. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been involved in dirty work for Gracelyn, going against her conscience.
Florrie had even advised Gracelyn to let Calvert treat those saved by her, believing it would lead to a better life, as their jobs paid well. However, she hadn’t expected Calvert’s dwindling interest in her and his unfaithfulness.
Calvert had been involved with other women, but Florrie had habitually feigned ignorance, knowing how fleeting his attention could be. Leila, on the other hand, was a different case.
Florrie had noticed the way Calvert looked at Leila yesterday. Aside from desire, there had been something deeper-love. The bitter truth stung. Calvert had fallen for Leila at first sight.
Therefore, yesterday, Florrie had failed to hold back her frustration and tormented Leila, whose beauty alone had become a blow to her already fragile marriage. However, she hadn’t expected her impulsive cruelty to backfire.
At Leila’s proactive stare, panic and dread consumed Florrie.
Lowering her head, Florrie pleaded, “Miss Nixon, please forgive me. I felt threatened and acted impulsively. I didn’t mean to harm you. If you refrain from telling Gracelyn about my mistreatment of you yesterday, I will do whatever you ask.”
Florrie knew better than to push her luck. While she served as Gracelyn’s right hand, Gracelyn was wealthy enough to easily find a replacement if needed. Plus, getting employment elsewhere was a challenge for Florrie due to her age. Gracelyn’s unpredictable temperament meant she might actually dismiss Florrie over the unauthorized abuse against Leila.
Florrie didn’t need to guess to know that once she was fired, Calvert would waste no time ditching her for another woman. By then, she would be stripped of both her financial security and her home, becoming the most unfortunate woman imaginable. She desperately wished to avoid such a dismal fate.
Leila heard Florrie’s humble pleas but felt no sympathy. One had to pay for what they had done. Florrie had never softened or wavered when it came to considering Leila’s feelings during the physical abuse the previous day.
Moreover, Leila had noticed that Florrie tended to bully the vulnerable while fearing those with power. It was time for Florrie to learn a harsh lesson. Therefore, Leila neither accepted nor rejected Florrie’s plea. She simply remained silent.
Florrie wanted to press further but chose to remain quiet, sensing Leila’s displeased look. She was also wary of any passersby who might notice something amiss and report it to Gracelyn, worsening the situation.
Florrie consoled herself with the thought that she wouldn’t have to endure Leila’s arrogance for much longer. She planned to exact revenge for the frustration Leila had caused her.
With this thought bolstering her spirits, Florrie’s expression softened. She then pushed Leila’s wheelchair toward Gracelyn.
Gracelyn had been waiting for a while. Upon seeing Leila, her face lit up with a smile. She beckoned Leila over like a kindly elder, displaying none of the malice she had shown the previous day.
“Come here.”
Leila was instantly wheeled before Gracelyn, with no one bothering to seek her consent.
Leila was well aware that she had no say for the time being.
Gracelyn gently patted Leila’s shoulder and asked in a feigned caring tone, “Are you feeling better? Can you handle this little talk? It’s important for you to rest and take good care of your health.” Gracelyn spoke as if she hadn’t imprisoned, drugged, and harmed Leila.
Despite the urge to release an ironic smile, Leila managed to keep her expression neutral. She couldn’t ignore the unsettling fact that Gracelyn was mentally unstable. Right now, the muteness caused by the drug had subsided, allowing her to speak again, much better than in her previous drug-induced state of both muteness and numbness. She recognized that not agonizing Gracelyn was the wisest choice.
Obediently, Leila nodded and responded, “Thank you for your concern, Mrs. White.”
Gracelyn’s smile widened as she remarked deliberately, “You are behaving so well now. I sometimes wonder if you’re just putting on a show for me. After all, ever since you were a little girl, you’ve always been clever. No one can really tell what you’re thinking.”
Leila clenched her teeth in frustration. What more did Gracelyn expect from her? What answer was she hoping to hear?
Just then, Florrie chimed in with a smile.
“Mrs. White, you might be reading too much into it. Leila is genuinely obedient to you now. She’s experienced the injuries and obviously knows what’s best for her. Yes, she’s a bit afraid of you, but remember, fear can also mean respect.”
Gracelyn seemed quite pleased with Florrie’s words, nodding in agreement.
“If that’s the case, then it’s not bad. As long as you understand my goodwill, Leila.”
Gracelyn waved her hand, her mood light.
“Leila, let’s have a meal together. I’ve told the chef to prepare your favorite dishes.” While speaking, Gracelyn patted Leila’s hand.
Leila managed a forced smile on her stiff face. She couldn’t understand it. Why couldn’t things simply fall apart between them, given how bad everything had gotten? Communicating with Gracelyn had become a draining ordeal.
Halfway through the meal, Gracelyn abruptly stopped, setting her fork and knife down.
The servants and Florrie tensed up, as if a storm were brewing. Cautiously, one of them asked, “Mrs. White, do you feel unwell, or is there something wrong with the food?”
Gracelyn snorted, replying with annoyance, “It’s nothing. But the table feels empty with so few of us. It’s lonely. I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling this way. Leila probably feels the same.” Hearing this, everyone turned their gaze toward Leila.
Feeling their eyes on her, Leila let out a soft sigh and nodded.
“I feel the same way.”
Florrie immediately asked Gracelyn cautiously, “Mrs. White, if you think we need more people, shall I invite others to the table?”
Florrie glanced at Leila, a daring idea forming in her mind.
A servant was still helping Leila with her dinner. Leila was able to talk, but the lingering effects of the drug still prevented her from moving her body.
Gracelyn’s expression brightened with a smile at Florrie’s proposal.
“Florrie, you always know what I’m thinking. So, whom do you have in mind to invite?”
Florrie replied, “Isn’t there someone recuperating here? The man whose last name is Collins. Since he’s under our roof and you’ve saved his life, inviting him to dine together and showing him kindness would surely be seen as a good deed in the eyes of the deities.”
The last sentence struck a chord with Gracelyn. However, Leila’s gaze quickly turned cold and dark.
To make it easier for the servants to feed her, Leila kept her head down. This meant that her unusual reaction to the mention of Florrie’s proposal went unnoticed.
Florrie appeared slightly confused, as Leila seemed unfazed by the suggestion of inviting Landon over. Could she be wrong? Were Landon and Leila not related?