Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Is something the matter?”
The servant’s face immediately brightened into a smile at Leila’s words.
“Indeed, there is. I didn’t expect you’d figure it out, Miss Nixon.”
Leila offered a small, noncommittal smile and remained silent.
The servant took a step closer, adopting a thoughtful expression.
“It’s nothing serious. I just think Calvert truly loves you. Even though he’s been absent lately, I know he thinks about you constantly. I don’t believe Florrie is right for him. Only you are worthy of his affection.”
Leila feigned offense.
“What do you mean by that?”
The servant quickly backtracked.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, that came out wrong. What I’m trying to say is that I think you and Calvert make a better match than he and Florrie. Miss Nixon, would you really want to see Calvert and Florrie reconcile?”
Leila’s response was curt.
“If they choose to date and fix their relationship, what’s it to me? It’s their affair.”
The servant pressed on.
“But if you were there, and Calvert had to choose, what reason would he have not to choose you? Miss Nixon, don’t let this opportunity slip away. Otherwise, Florrie will become even more insufferable.”
Leila gave the servant a faint smile.
“Why are you so invested in breaking them up? What’s your angle?”
The servant squirmed under Leila’s intense stare, forcing a smile.
“Oh, it’s nothing like that. I just can’t stand Florrie. She’s always so mean to everyone.”
Leila gave a chilling laugh.
“I’m not exactly known for my kindness either. Are you trying to manipulate me? If you refuse to tell me the truth, I’ll go straight to Gracelyn. I might not be able to pry the truth from you, but she certainly can.”
The thought of Leila going to Gracelyn sent the servant into a panic. She nearly dropped to her knees, her voice trembling with anxiety.
“No, no, please hear me out. It’s more complicated than that. I didn’t want to burden you with my sad story.”
From the servant’s hesitant explanation, Leila learned of a past incident. Apparently, the servant’s mother had been gravely ill, and she had desperately wanted to return home to say her final goodbyes.
At the time, Gracelyn had been indisposed, leaving Florrie in control of the White family’s affairs.
It was supposed to be just a matter of taking leave. However, Florrie, still fuming from an argument with Calvert, had mocked the servant’s plea.
“Do you honestly think rushing back will change your mother’s fate?”
The servant had been rendered speechless. She couldn’t even bring herself to resent Florrie’s cruelty, as her family’s livelihood depended on her well-paying position in the White household.
Florrie’s blatant refusal was the reason the servant had never gotten to say goodbye to her mother.
Even when Gracelyn had eventually learned about it, she only gave Florrie a light slap on the wrist. After all, beneath Gracelyn’s affable exterior, she looked down on people of their station. More importantly, Florrie was practically Gracelyn’s confidante.
So, despite her resentment, the servant had to tread carefully around Florrie.
Leila initially suspected the servant’s story was a fabrication. It was obvious the servant had been paid off, most likely by Florrie, to encourage her to “date” Landon.
But when Leila saw the genuine hatred and resentment burning in the servant’s eyes while recounting the tale, she knew it wasn’t an act, and her expression softened.
Leila sighed and extended her hand to the servant. The servant looked puzzled but hesitantly approached.
Leila took her hand.
The servant looked genuinely touched and glanced at Leila in disbelief. Leila offered a gentle smile and spoke with genuine empathy.
“We’re both in a tough spot, aren’t we? Our situations are similar, yet so different. I lost my parents young and have been fighting to survive on my own ever since. People like us get taken advantage of all the time.” She trailed off, letting her words sink in.
The servant looked uncertain, her eyes darting away, hesitant to speak.
Leila continued, “I might have been a bit sharp earlier, but I hope you understand. I have to be careful about everything I do here. Please don’t take it personally. Since we’re both in the same boat, let’s consider ourselves friends.”
The servant felt even more ashamed but couldn’t resist the opportunity to get closer to Leila.
“I’m Charli Calderon. Call me Charli.”
Leila nodded.
“Charli, your advice was spot-on. I won’t let Calvert and Florrie off the hook. Help me get ready and then take me over there.”
Charli hesitated but eventually agreed.
As Charli wheeled Leila toward the door, she voiced her concern.
“Miss Nixon, maybe you shouldn’t go. I have a bad feeling about this. If things go south, Florrie will have the upper hand.”
Leila scoffed.
“Seriously? You think Gracelyn will punish me because of Florrie?”
Charli shook her head, knowing that was highly unlikely. Gracelyn clearly favored Leila. Even though Gracelyn had used some shady tactics to keep Leila close, the Sinclairs and the Whites were once neighbors, and their past closeness was evident.
Gracelyn saw Leila as an equal, something Florrie couldn’t match.
Charli wanted to argue, but seeing how determined Leila was, she kept quiet, whispering an apology in her heart.
Leila noticed the conflicted look on Charli’s face but didn’t say anything. She knew she had to take things slowly. If Florrie and Calvert could buy off the staff members, so could she. But she wasn’t going to do it with cash. She would use a more strategic approach.
Near their destination, Leila suddenly asked Charli to stop the wheelchair.
Charli looked at her in confusion.
“Just leave me here,” Leila said, her voice filled with mock concern.
“I can manage on my own. If Florrie sees you with me, she’ll hold a grudge against you. She can’t hurt me, but she’ll definitely take it out on you. You don’t have to risk that for me.”
Touched, Charli hadn’t expected Leila to care about her.
“Miss Nixon, it’s okay. I’m not afraid of Florrie.”
Leila smiled, shook her head, and patted Charli’s hand.
As Leila wheeled herself away, Charli couldn’t help but chase after her, wanting to say something. But then, Florrie’s words echoed in her mind. Charli clenched her fists. She couldn’t bring herself to say anything. She had already lost her mother, and now her brother was seriously ill. Her family desperately needed money. Although Leila seemed to have a good temperament, no one in this world would give money to others for no reason. If she asked Leila for money, Leila would likely say no and think she was greedy.
Charli hated working for Florrie, but she needed the money.
“I’m sorry, Miss Nixon,” Charli muttered to herself. She stopped and watched Leila leave, feeling guilty.
Leila glanced at the small wooden cabin ahead and chuckled. It was obvious that she had been led here on purpose. She wondered what Florrie was up to. Anyway, she and Landon had already prepared themselves. They wouldn’t be tricked easily.
Leila hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.