Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Sarah’s hands tightened into fists at her sides. She had come prepared today, her complexion pale and devoid of makeup, making her look frail and worn. Her eyes, red and swollen, conveyed a deep sorrow, clearly a ploy to evoke Rachel’s sympathy.
Sarah had hoped her appearance would soften Rachel’s heart. What she hadn’t anticipated was that during her brief stay in the hospital, Leila had stepped into the role she once held.
Sarah’s voice cut through the air, tinged with unmistakable resentment and anger. “Rachel, I thought you were my best friend. How can you associate with someone I can’t stand? Have you been tricked by Leila?”
Rachel’s brow furrowed in displeasure. “Tricked? I’m an adult. I can tell right from wrong on my own.”
Sarah’s face flushed, tears welling in her eyes. “Rachel, that’s not what I meant. I’m just worried you might be misled. Don’t you remember our history? How I risked everything to save you? You promised you’d never forget that.”
As her emotional plea failed to convince Rachel, Sarah shifted tactics, laying on the guilt thickly.
Rachel’s expression wavered, showing a flicker of guilt. Observing the unfolding drama, Phillip, who had been quietly stern until now, cleared his throat audibly to draw Sarah’s attention.
Phillip then stood up and addressed Sarah, his voice firm. “Your act of saving my daughter is something I’m deeply grateful for. She’s my only child, and I’ve always held her dear, extending that same care to you, tolerating much because of your close friendship with Rachel. Miss Miller, Rachel has always seen you as a true friend, supporting you unwaveringly in every challenge. Whenever you faced difficulties, she was there, helping without a second thought. I have supported you extensively as well. She has fulfilled her role as a friend more than adequately. A true friend wouldn’t exploit that generosity.”
Sarah was quick to respond, her voice tinged with urgency, “I would never…”
Feeling Rachel’s piercing gaze, Sarah couldn’t bring herself to meet her eyes.
Rachel, gathering her thoughts, felt her anger simmer. She was furious that Sarah had manipulated her trust, placing her in a precarious position. Had she sided with Sarah the previous day and turned Leila away, she would have been the one bearing the brunt of the blame for Sarah’s sake, when the truth inevitably surfaced.
By then, such a scenario would have risked tarnishing the Simpson family’s esteemed reputation.
Upon reflecting, Rachel now understood Sarah’s decision to stir trouble at her birthday celebration. Sarah had intended to make her the scapegoat.
It was Phillip’s revelation that brought this to light for Rachel. She rose swiftly, seized Sarah by the wrist, and led her outside. “You might think I’m heartless, but I just can’t maintain this friendship any longer.”
Tears streamed down Sarah’s face, her eyes brimming with defiance.
Even at the doorstep, Sarah hesitated to leave and attempted to reconcile with Rachel. “Rachel, I admit I was wrong. My anger got the best of me. Landon and I were okay until Leila meddled. I lost control and made a foolish mistake. Please, don’t hold this against me.”
Rachel’s expression remained stern, her tone frosty. “Having known Leila as long as I have, I’m well aware of her character. I don’t need anyone else’s judgment.”
Sarah’s lips trembled, her sorrow deepening. “Yes, it’s true. This was all a big misunderstanding. It’s all on me. Are you really going to cut me off forever?”
Sarah’s eyes welled up as she continued, “I remember you’re into restoring antiques. Hayden never valued your talent, but I connected you with someone better. He’s a world-renowned expert seeking apprentices. If you’re interested, I can set things up. Moreover, Leila is one of Hayden’s apprentices, and she hasn’t once spoken nicely about you to him.”
Sarah threw in that last bit, watching as Rachel’s expression grew even more severe. Quickly shifting her approach, she added, “But perhaps Leila faces her own challenges.”
Rachel merely gave Sarah a brief glance. “Thanks for the consideration, but I don’t need it. I’m into restoring antiques, and I’ve already found a better mentor.”
“What? Who could possibly be better?” Sarah asked, taken aback.
Rachel smiled wryly, her tone unyielding. “To be honest, Leila is incredible. If she agrees, I’ll be her apprentice. So, you needn’t worry about me.”
Disbelief etched Sarah’s features, and her voice sharpened. “Rachel, are you serious? Why Leila?”
Rachel chose not to elaborate further.
At that moment, the car pulled up, and Rachel opened the door for Sarah. “Miss Miller, I have other commitments. I won’t be seeing you off.”
Sarah’s complexion turned from pale to flushed, and she bit her lip hard as she stepped into the car.
As the vehicle started to pull away, Sarah, consumed by anger, exited and stormed into Landon’s car.
The disturbance caused Landon to frown, and he asked with annoyance, “Are you done?”
Feeling even more wronged, Sarah retorted, “Landon, I was treated terribly there. Don’t you even care?”
Landon gave a half-smirk. “I warned you, Rachel’s no easy target. You chose to come to her anyway. You brought this upon yourself.”
Sarah blushed with embarrassment, her eyes welling up as she clung to Landon’s hand.
Landon, visibly annoyed, furrowed his brow. Reaching his limit, he stormed out of his vehicle to enter another one.
As Landon strode away without a backward glance, Sarah watched in disbelief. She hastily exited the car and chased after him in her high heels, calling out, “Landon, didn’t you promise a trip to cheer me up? What am I supposed to do if you leave now?”
Landon gave her a dismissive look. “I did make plans, but you’re just too irritating now. Don’t worry, someone else will take you around.”
Sarah’s complexion paled, yet she managed a forced smile. “What are you saying, Landon? You’re kidding me, right?”
Without responding, Landon gestured, and several bodyguards quickly surrounded Sarah. Ignoring her pleading gaze, they ushered her into another car.
Locked inside with two bodyguards, Sarah found herself trapped with no way out. She overheard Landon instructing Edgar, “Keep her out of sight for a while. I can’t stand being around her, but let everyone think she’s still with me.”
Realizing Landon’s intentions, Sarah’s eyes widened in shock.
Torn between heartache and anger, Sarah understood she was being used once again as a pawn in Landon’s game to evoke Leila’s jealousy.
Edgar hesitated, his voice filled with caution as he uttered, “Mr. Kensington, is this really necessary?”
Landon’s response was a frosty stare. “Since when do I need your permission for anything?” His words cut through the air, sharp and dismissive.
Silenced by Landon’s retort, Edgar quickly went to make the necessary arrangements.
As the car carrying Sarah pulled away, Landon spared no glance her way. His expression darkened as he gave the Simpson family’s home one final look, then turned his back and walked away.
Three days later, Sarah found herself abandoned in a small town, thousands of miles from home.
Landon had boasted about the town’s fresh air and pleasant surroundings, claiming it was the perfect spot for her to unwind and recuperate.
Dragging her suitcase along a muddy path, Sarah’s patience was wearing thin. Her anger boiled over when she recalled how her parents had consented to this arrangement. They believed any opportunity to keep her connected with Landon was worth pursuing, regardless of her feelings.
Overwhelmed with frustration, Sarah hurled her suitcase into the air. Her action caused her to lose balance, and she toppled into the mud.
Drenched and dirty, she was a far cry from the polished socialite she had been.
“Bitch! Bitch!” Sarah yelled furiously, wanting to rip Leila to shreds.
Unable to hold Landon responsible, Sarah instead vented her anger on Leila and Rachel.
Eventually, Sarah managed to cool off. It was then that a thought struck her. She might still hold some sway over Rachel.
The exhibition of Rachel’s mother’s belongings had turned out to be a tremendous hit, attended not only by students and those aided by Rachel’s mother but also by numerous notable figures.
During the event, Rachel had openly commended Leila, even proclaiming Leila as her best friend.
This declaration had stunned those who previously scorned Leila, given the esteemed status of the Simpson family.
Sarah had secured her position as a leading socialite in the city largely through her connection with Rachel.
Previously viewed as a vulnerable woman whom the Kensington family was poised to cast aside, Leila’s fortunes were reversed thanks to Rachel’s support.
With such a powerful endorsement, the societal elite began to reconsider their stance toward Leila. At the very least, they were no longer quick to dismiss her.
Leila instinctively grasped Rachel’s motives behind her decision. She deeply appreciated Rachel for the thoughtful arrangement.
Once the exhibition concluded, Leila finally had a moment to unwind.
The team at the Hayes Group was in no hurry for Leila to return, and Hayden’s studio was experiencing its off-season.
The timing couldn’t have been better for Leila to take a break and clear her mind. She had considered going out but was still home when Linsey burst in, breathless with news.
“Sweetie, do you realize you’re trending right now?”