Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Setting up her equipment on the designated platform, Leila began her restoration work.
Eastonville University offered a course on artifact restoration that was always conducted indoors with great care.
Now, Leila’s work attracted curious onlookers, as it was rare to see such meticulous work performed outdoors amidst the hustle and bustle.
Despite being seated in a corner, Leila was completely absorbed in her task under the sun. Her skilled hands moved gracefully, highlighting her long, elegant fingers.
Leila instantly became the center of attention.
Curious onlookers clustered around, peppering Leila with questions about her activity.
Nearby, Irene stood, her smile broad as she fielded explanations.
No one seemed bothered by Leila’s muteness. In fact, many openly admired her.
“Her craftsmanship is astounding. It’s as if the tools spring to life in her hands.”
“I wish I had her skillful touch in my artifact restoration class. My professor would’ve spared the constant critiques.”
“Is it just me, or is there something truly inspiring about her? Her silence seems to deepen her connection to her work. It’s absolutely calming to watch her.”
As the crowd swelled, Irene seized the moment to share Leila’s story, boosting her visibility.
Leila’s beauty and her tranquil, gentle smile added to her allure.
Numerous spectators whipped out their phones to capture the moment.
Even the media crew Eastonville University had invited began to turn their cameras toward Leila, drawn by her quiet charm.
Vernon observed from afar, his expression unreadable. His meticulously planned opening ceremony and the various displays were being neglected. Instead, all eyes were fixed on a mute woman he had looked down upon. He felt Leila was in no position to represent Eastonville University, and if the event didn’t go well as he had planned, the blame would fall squarely on him.
Determined, Vernon strode forward. As he neared the throng of cameras, his stern expression melted into a welcoming smile. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice carrying across the room, “I invite you to explore the other exhibits our dedicated students have prepared. Your support for their hard work would mean a great deal.”
A curious voice from the crowd chimed in, “Wasn’t this lady invited by Eastonville University?”
Vernon replied with careful diplomacy. “At Eastonville University, we champion the principle of inclusivity. Should anyone here have a spontaneous idea they wish to present, we would gladly accommodate them with a space to do so.”
This revelation shifted some people’s perceptions of Leila. Murmurs spread through the crowd.
“So, she wasn’t officially invited? Then why didn’t she say anything?”
“I was nearly fooled. I’m supposed to write a news article for class and was thinking of featuring her photo prominently. That would have been a big mistake.”
“She’s hogging the spotlight. She must be one of those internet stars who came just to film a segment.”
Linsey, overhearing the harsh comments, felt a surge of discontent. She was eager to set the record straight-that they were indeed invited guests.
Just as Linsey was about to speak up, Leila squeezed her hand and gave her a cautionary look, signaling her to hold back.
After Vernon departed with his entourage, there was nobody left who seemed interested in hearing their side of the story.
Irene’s frustration was palpable. “What’s going on with Eastonville University? They invite you, only to treat you poorly. Is this some kind of publicity stunt?”
Leila thought of Donovan’s genuine demeanor and slightly shook her head. She set her tools aside and signed that it was probably just a misunderstanding and emphasized that she was just happy to be involved in this event.
Leila gestured reassuringly toward Irene.
Noticing Leila’s calm demeanor, Irene’s anger subsided. “There’s no need to make a fuss right now. If things escalate, we can always turn this situation into a marketing opportunity by presenting evidence to defend ourselves.”
Linsey agreed and said, “We have signed the contracts, so there’s no need to worry.”
Seeing Leila so composed, the people at the event had mixed opinions. Despite the mixed opinions, Leila’s expertise in restoration was undeniable.
Seeing her calmness, a man found the courage to approach her, intrigued by her skills. He inquired about her rates for repairing some items.
Leila shook her head, signaling that she was at the exhibition to connect with fellow enthusiasts, and therefore, she wasn’t charging anything.
Unbeknownst to them, her starting rate for repairs had once been $10,000.
As word of Leila’s remarkable repair work spread, an increasing number of people began to seek her out.
Vernon tried to shift the focus, but his efforts were thwarted yet again.
Just as things were heating up, a disturbing voice cut through the noise. “Hi, could you help me with a repair?”
The newcomer commanded attention, parting the crowd as she moved forward.
Sarah then removed her sunglasses, unveiling a remarkably beautiful face.
Leila’s eyelids fluttered at the sight of Sarah. A dreadful feeling of unease welled up inside her.
With the crowd watching, Leila couldn’t just turn Sarah down. She motioned toward the end of the queue, indicating that Sarah would need to wait her turn.
Sarah scoffed, paying no heed to those around her. Her voice grew more incisive. “Seriously? You think you’re so important that people should line up just to speak with you? Even celebrities aren’t that arrogant.”
Linsey was boiling with rage. “It’s better than being a mere-“
Before Linsey could complete her thought, Irene intervened, yanking her back. Labeling Sarah a homewrecker in this public setting would only escalate the situation, especially given Leila and Landon’s current dynamics. This would further complicate matters down the line.
Spectators eyed Sarah, adorned in lavish attire from head to toe. Although they resented her cutting in line, nobody had the courage to object, and they reluctantly cleared a path for her.
Leila, looking flawless, lacked the patience for typing and gestured instead. Her gestures conveyed that the one causing the scene would be embarrassed, given the onlookers’ presence.
To everyone’s surprise, Sarah understood Leila’s sign language. She smirked. “Creating a scene? My intention is clear. I need you to fix something. What’s the problem? Do you have an issue with me? You don’t want to repair my item? Then, I must ask, what have I done to upset you?”
Leila’s mind raced, eager to defuse the situation and usher Sarah out. She gestured toward the table in front of her, indicating for Sarah to place the item there.
Sarah gave a slight smirk and, turning to her bodyguard, retrieved a tattered bag from him.
Upon seeing the bag, Leila’s body stiffened. Her hands began to tremble, and she could hardly believe her eyes.
Internally, Leila tried to calm herself, to convince herself it wasn’t what she feared. When she opened the bag and the contents, a sharp pain seized her heart.
It was the thank-you gift she had made for Landon, her very first handmade item.
Now, it lay before her, broken and sullied, dirt ingrained in the cracks-a clear sign it had been shattered with deliberate force.
As Leila’s face contorted with distress, Sarah’s pleasure seemed to swell. Smirking, her red lips twisted as she spoke with undisguised glee. “Honestly, it wasn’t anything significant. Just a gift from a clueless woman to my boyfriend. He told me if I didn’t like it, he would just destroy it. I found it hideous. I never expected him to actually do it and crush it underfoot repeatedly. He even asked if that made me happy afterward. Later, though, I did start to see it as a genuine gesture from the woman and felt maybe he shouldn’t have dismissed it so cruelly.”
Sarah stared provocatively at Leila. “This must be a piece of cake for you, huh?”
A wave of bitterness washed over Leila, spreading from her heart to her limbs, making her fingertips tingle.
Leila found it hard to believe that Landon could hold such contempt for her behind her back. She doubted Landon would fail to recognize her work; after all, her handwritten note was attached to it.
Leila’s mind then drifted to her childhood.
At that time, Landon had always mocked Leila’s handwriting. He insisted on forcing her to practice daily, and over time, Leila’s handwriting improved significantly.
One day, Leila decided to test Landon by blending her writing with others similar to hers and challenged him to identify hers.
With just a quick glance, Landon picked it out, saying, “You’re practically half my apprentice. Could I mistake it? Though you learned it from me directly, you managed to pick up some quirks.”
At that moment, Leila couldn’t help but laugh behind her hand at his egotism.