Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila, unaware of the banter, thanked Ethan with a gesture.
Ten minutes later, Linsey returned looking dejected. She pouted at Leila. “Honey, I really tried.”
Irene chimed in with a sense of resignation, “I’m no good at this kind of stuff either. I doubt I’d be much help.”
Watching Ethan still trying his best in the crowd, Leila’s guilt intensified. With a determined clench of her teeth, she decided to give it a shot herself.
Linsey had indeed done her best, but the final riddle proved too challenging, and they were stumped.
Leila and Ethan teamed up on the spot, confronting each puzzle as it arose.
Although Leila couldn’t speak, she was quick-witted.
Once she figured out the answer, she signaled to Ethan.
Ethan had no trouble understanding her signs.
They were now at the last question.
Leila’s expression became serious as she scrutinized it. “Sitting to the south, facing the north, it looks sad when you do, and happy when you do.”
Leila shot a quick look at Ethan.
Ethan shook his head, just as puzzled as she was.
Leila quietly repeated the riddle to herself, trying to grasp its essence. Then, an idea struck her. Could it be a mirror?
With excitement, Leila raised her hand and signaled toward Ethan.
“It’s a mirror,” a clear, steady voice suddenly declared from behind.
The voice was familiar, and it took Leila by surprise.
As Leila turned around, she caught sight of Landon and Sarah approaching. Their presence was striking, capturing the attention of everyone around.
Surprise and bitterness welled up in Leila. She was shocked to see Landon here, and Sarah’s presence beside him seemed to explain everything.
Landon, without glancing at Leila, focused his attention on a nearby staff member. His face was expressionless as he inquired, “Is my answer correct?”
The staff member nodded enthusiastically, a smile breaking across his face. “Congratulations, sir, you’ve cracked the riddle.”
Leaning on Landon’s arm, Sarah smiled and exclaimed, “Landon, you’re incredible! I thought you wouldn’t be interested in these little games.”
Landon gave Sarah a brief look. “You wanted that rabbit lantern, didn’t you? Go ahead and grab it,” he said, his voice flat but his demeanor gentle and accommodating towards Sarah.
Leila’s heart sank even deeper. She bowed her head, unwilling to lift her eyes and meet Landon’s gaze.
“Wait a minute.” Just then, Ethan stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Sarah, who was on her way to claim the lantern. “The lantern riddle was answered one by one. We were the first to raise our hands. My friend had figured out the answer already. She just couldn’t say it quickly enough. Why does that mean you win?”
Sarah argued, her arms crossed defiantly, “How can you prove you knew the answer first?”
Leila pulled out her phone and began typing. The clue was in the last line, ‘looks sad when you are, looks happy when you are.’ I had already thought of the answer. I can explain my reasoning if you want.
As Leila explained, she felt the weight of Landon’s stare. It was icy. She figured he was probably displeased that she had stepped in and upset the woman he liked.
Yet, Leila wasn’t about to give in. She seldom stood up for herself, but that didn’t mean she was a pushover.
“Well…” The staff member looked visibly distressed.
Suddenly, Sarah burst into laughter, her hand covering her mouth, her voice sharp with mockery. “You know, I thought the rule was that each team had to be a male-female pair. Can someone who can’t even speak take part? Really, it’s just been the guy figuring things out while she reaps the rewards. That’s hardly fair. A mute solving riddles? Isn’t that absurd?”
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Leila felt the sting of sarcasm and mockery, her fists tightening slightly.
Then, someone couldn’t stand it anymore and spoke up. “That’s how it is, but let’s not discriminate against people with disabilities. She hasn’t cheated or done anything wrong. You’re being too harsh.”
Sarah, seething with anger and clenching her teeth, stood her ground. “Leila was the one who raised the paddle. It’s only right that she answers. Let’s hear her speak for herself.”
Each word struck deep in Leila’s heart.
“You!” Ethan’s temper flared, and he moved to confront Sarah.
Leila quickly grabbed Ethan’s wrist, feeling the urgency of the situation but not realizing how inappropriate her actions were.
With a worried glance, Leila shook her head at Ethan.
Leila felt that if Ethan provoked Sarah, Landon would surely react since Sarah held a special place in his heart. By then, she was powerless to stop Landon. After all, they were nearing a divorce, and it wasn’t her place to dictate Landon’s actions.
Landon, seeing Leila’s actions, felt a pang in his heart, his gaze turning colder. He strode forward and seized the rabbit lantern.
Commanding the room with his presence, no one dared intervene.
After taking the lantern, Landon handed it directly to Sarah.
Landon stated evenly, “I was the one who spoke out first, and that alone should earn us the prize. While we should empathize with those with disabilities, it doesn’t automatically make them correct. If so, every dispute would boil down to who is more deserving of pity, and that wouldn’t be just, would it?”
Leila abruptly looked up at Landon upon hearing his words. She moved a step closer, her hands half-raised in a futile attempt to clarify her intentions. She had never meant it that way. All she sought was to reclaim what was rightfully hers.
Yet, Leila hesitated. If Landon had thought like that, would her explanations make any difference?
Her thoughts were a chaotic jumble, like yarn mangled by a cat’s claws. Her eyes watered, the urge to cry almost overwhelming her.
Surrounded by onlookers, Leila clenched her jaw and suppressed her tears, turning to Ethan to gesture her need to retreat for a rest.
Ethan caught the distress in Leila’s eyes. He turned to gaze at Landon chillingly.
Tension crackled between the two men.
As Ethan escorted Leila away, Landon’s restraint shattered.
“Leila, where are you going? You saw me without even a hello?” Landon inquired, his voice laced with hurt.
Leila, too weary to respond, kept walking without turning back.
Landon’s frustration boiled over, and he strode out.
As Landon passed Leila, the cool, sharp scent of his cologne mingled with the smell of nicotine, leaving a bitter trace in the air.
He stormed off, pausing as he brushed past her. It seemed to signify the inevitable end of their relationship. They were merely two souls on divergent paths, and he no longer waited for her.
Witnessing this, Sarah quickly chased after Landon.
When Landon reached his car, he fired up the engine without a second thought.
Desperate, Sarah tapped on the window, her eyes pleading, “Landon, weren’t you going to take me out to dinner?”
Landon didn’t spare her a glance, his voice cold and distant. “I have to handle some business. I’ll send the bodyguard to take you back to the hotel to rest. Call me if there’s anything.”
Frustration welled up in Sarah. “Aren’t we supposed to be staying together?”
Landon’s tight-lipped silence spoke volumes.
Sarah’s temper flared. She had thought she was finally making progress, but Landon clearly had no such intentions.